The word “quench” means “to put out or extinguish; to suppress.” In the New Testament, there are three passages where this word is found. The first, which is quoted from Isaiah :, reveals the Father’s heart toward lost souls: “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench”. Calvary is the active love of God shed forth for fallen, hurting man. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Thus, it is not God’s desire to extinguish or quench the sinner, but to save him! “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
The second New Testament use of the word “quench” is associated with our spiritual growth. Like any good parent, God wants us to grow up in Christ. In order for us to do that, the Lord has given to believers His Holy Spirit. Now, we can be sure that the Holy Spirit will be faithful to do what He is sent to do, but the question is, are we listening for Him and walking in obedience to Him? Having the Holy Ghost is the gift given to us when we give our hearts to Jesus Christ. At the moment of conversion we are sealed by the Holy Spirit. But growth in the Lord does not occur by the process of osmosis or a series of accidents. Spiritual growth comes as we study the word of God and apply it. To listen to it, but not intend to activate it, amounts to quenching the Spirit of God. When we do this, we stunt our growth and grieve our Lord.
The third and last reference to the word “quench” is really thought-provoking, and is found in Ephesians :. Now this is the kind of quenching that we want to take place, but in essence, if I am quenching the Spirit of God, then I am “condensing” the shield that should be quenching Satan’s fiery darts! When I am not quenching the Spirit, then I’m actually enlarging the shield of faith. The lesson? Don’t ignore those Scriptures that jump out at you. Don’t be content with Bible information apart from life application. Instead of quenching God’s Spirit with alibis or excuses, let’s submit to Him and start quenching the real problems – those flaming missiles of the enemy.
