Do not extinguish the Spirit. – 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Imagine a cold and gloomy day with a fire blazing in the fireplace. Its warmth and light fill the room. But over time, the flames flicker, turn to embers, and eventually go out. The room becomes dark and cold once again.
What happened to the fire? It was not fed. It was neglected. A fire needs fuel. It must be tended, stirred, and sustained. If left alone, it will go out. The same principle applies to our spiritual lives. Without attention and care, the fire of faith can fade.
The Danger of Spiritual Neglect
We often think of quenching the Holy Spirit as doing something drastic, like speaking harshly or acting selfishly. But just as often, it happens through simple neglect. We stop reading the Bible. We stop praying. We stop looking for ways to show love. Slowly, without realizing it, we let the flame die.
This does not mean God’s Spirit loses power, or that His plan is defeated. His love and forgiveness remain constant. But it does mean we have allowed our hearts to grow cold. We have silenced our joy and hidden our gifts. Though God has promised to never leave us, we can choose to sit in the cold by doing nothing.
Faith Is the Fuel That Sustains Us
God’s love and grace have given us everything. All He asks in return is faith—a growing trust that turns into love. This is what keeps the Spirit burning in us. When we rely on Him with humility and persistence, the flame stays alive.
Trust your heavenly Father. Feed the fire of your faith. Fan the flames of the Spirit. Let God’s presence fill your life with warmth and light.