In recent studies of 1st Thessalonians 5:12-18 we’ve tried to answer the questions – Are you making progress in your church life and in coping with normal circumstances of life? Now turn to verses 19-22 and use what we learn to answer the question – Are you making progress in your personal growth in Christ?
Verse 19 says, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” This implies there’s a fire present. It might be no more than glimmering coals or a flicker of light. Paul says, “Don’t let the fire go out.” His words don’t just encourage preserving what’s there. He implies, “Don’t intentionally put out the fire the Holy Spirit has kindled in your heart.”
If you look closer, he’s suggesting, stop doing what you’re doing. To maintain a fire you stoke it, add fuel and give it oxygen. In the spiritual realm, stoking would involve interacting with fellow believers who can hold you accountable, or as it says in Hebrews 10:25, “provoke one another.” To add fuel would include having regular exposure to the Word of God. Oxygen would be like praying for God’s Spirit to constantly move on your heart.
Putting out the Spirit’s fire would involve choosing to not do these things, like avoid accountable relationships, or neglect listening to, reading and meditating on God’s Word, or not praying for the ongoing work of the Spirit, or worse, telling God to get off your back. That’s both foolish and dangerous.
Take a reality check.