Never Quench the Spirit

1 Kings 18:17-19

“17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, “Is it you, you troubler of Israel?” 18 He answered, “I have not troubled Israel; but you have, and your father’s house, because you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and followed the Baals. 19 Now therefore have all Israel assemble for me at Mount Carmel, with the four hundred fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.”

Ahab, the evil King of Israel, had forsaken the one true God and begun worshiping the Baals, yet he called Elijah the “troubler of Israel”.  Ahab blamed Elijah for the drought and the subsequent famine.  In reality, God had withheld the rain because of Ahab and his worship of false gods.

Our sins often cause us to be blind to the impact that our actions have and deaf to the people who try to offer us advice.  We become irritated by these “know-it-alls” and we might even blame them for the trouble that has arisen because of our sins.

The Holy Spirit that indwelles each believer, will convict us of our sins and lead us to repentance… only if we will listen to the voice of the Spirit.

“Never quench the Spirit.” (1 Thess. 5:19)

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)