QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT

OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DATE: FRIDAY 29TH JANUARY 2021.

THEME: QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT.

MEMORY VERSE:

1 Thessalonians 5:19

“Do not quench the Spirit.”

BIBLE READING: Galatians 5:16-26 MSG

16-18 My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are contrary to each other, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence?

* * *

19-21 It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness; trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits; the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on.

This isn’t the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God’s kingdom.

* * *

22-23 But what happens when we live God’s way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.

* * *

23-24 Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.

* * *

25-26 Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

MESSAGE:

A.  What are the things that the flesh usually tells you to do? 

1? They are listed in Galatians 5:19-21 as you must have earlier read in Today's Bible text. 

3? You think that you can view a few pictures or videos on social media where someone is almost nude and it is okay. 

4? You are quenching the Spirit. 

5? That little window you give to indulge the flesh will strengthen it such that you would find yourself going back to those pictures/videos after that time. 

6? The Bible is very clear- don't ever do anything that will quench The Spirit. Never!

B? Do you know that there are some things that are not sins, but can strengthen the flesh to the point of eventually quenching the Spirt? 

1? Examples include not fasting!

2? Psalms 35:13 “But as for me, when they were sick, My clothing was sackcloth; I humbled myself with fasting; And my prayer would return to my own heart.”

3? Not being able to abstain from sex even with your legally wedded spouse!

4? 1 Corinthians 7:5 “Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control.”

5? Not praying!

6? Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”

7? Not studying your Bible 

8? Psalms 119:9-11 “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your Word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments!

Your word I have hidden in my heart,

That I might not sin against You.” and 

9? Not fellowshipping with the brethren 10? Hebrews 10:25 “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

C.  From Galatians 5:16, we see that it is necessary to always walk in the Spirit so that you will not fulfil the works of the flesh.

1? If you take a break from spiritual exercises, you will eventually fulfil the works of the flesh; there is on holiday in the spirit realm

2? “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Amos3:3

3? I stay far away from sin because I know that God is the only One who can help me to fulfil my destiny and He hates sin. 

4? If I offend Him and He turns His Back on me, I am finished! 

5? Joseph knew this, so he did not indulge his flesh at all and he fulfilled Gods' Plan for his life. 

6? My beloved, I am appealing to you from my heart today, walk in the Spirit every day and you will attain God's Plan for your life.

7? The Bible Will Take Away Sin From Your Life Or Sin Will Take Away The Bible From Your Life!

ACTION POINT:

What are those things you do that quench The Spirit of God in you? List them and cut yourself off from them today.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Galatians 1-3

AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE 

HYMN: I'M PRESSING ON THE UPWARD WAY.

1.    I’m pressing on the upward way,

New heights I’m gaining every day;

Still praying as I’m onward bound,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”

Refrain:

Lord, lift me up and let me stand,

By faith, on Heaven’s tableland,

A higher plane than I have found;

Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.

 Refrain:

2.    My heart has no desire to stay

Where doubts arise and fears dismay;

Though some may dwell where those abound,

My prayer, my aim, is higher ground.

 Refrain:

3.    I want to live above the world,

Though Satan’s darts at me are hurled;

For faith has caught the joyful sound,

The song of saints on higher ground.

 Refrain:

4.    I want to scale the utmost height

And catch a gleam of glory bright;

But still I’ll pray till heav’n I’ve found,

“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” Refrain:

EMMANUEL= GOD WITH US!