“Quench not the Spirit.” (I Thess. 5:19 & S & H, p. 490:19 – Citation S & H – #9)

Quench (1828) – extinguish, put out, quiet, repress, allay, destroy, check, stifle, to cool
Quench (other sources) – dampen, hinder, smother, repress; generally refers to putting out a literal fire; take away the oxygen

When the Spirit is NOT quenched:
• Enthusiasm is kept constantly burning; burning more intensely, shining brighter, giving light and heat
• Keeping nourished with proper care and attention
• Stirring up, kindling up, causing to burn
• Having enthusiasm that bursts out in prayers, praises, thanksgivings
• Expressing the effect of the Holy Ghost working upon us
• Consuming ardour and enthusiasm, love to God and man
• Love giving a vehement flame
• Zeal which is the boiling up of love, fervency
• Lively exercise of Christian graces
• Declaring the mighty works of God
• Fervour of spirit; Christian enthusiasm for what is good
• Spiritual force
• Allowing the Holy Ghost to empower our lives; being “filled with the Spirit” (Eph 5:18)
• An open meeting, a liberty of prophesying/preaching, a gathering in which any one can speak as the Spirit gives him utterance – ALL WEDNESDAY TESTIMONY MEETINGS, BIBLE STUDIES, AND ROUNDTABLES ARE EXACTLY THIS!

What WILL quench the Spirit:
• Dampening of the ardor of piety in the soul
• Repressing the power or energy of the Holy Spirit
• Obstructing the ministry of the Spirit
• Chilling of our feelings
• Rendering us cold and lifeless in the service of God; unenthusiastic
• Neglecting the cultivating of Christian graces/prayer
• Worldliness, vanity, levity, ambition, pride, the love of dress, indulgence in an improper train of thought
• Flame being dimmed, abated, waxed cold, lukewarm
• Having indifference of spirit; declining instead of increasing in spirit; not stirring up our spirits
• Withdrawing fuel, pouring on water, covering with dirt
• Indulging carnal lusts and affections; minding only earthly things; indulging in sin, keeping ill company
• Holding the truth in unrighteousness, imprisoning it, concealing it, not publicly professing truth
• Discouraging the exercise of spiritual gifts
• Telling one whose heart burns within him to “contain yourself, exercise a little self control”
• Pouring cold water on enthusiasm
• The so-called “guardians of order” suppressing liberty, the freedom of Spirit
• So-called “rulers” of the Church claiming that they alone are the depositaries/custodians of the grace and truth of the gospel; that only through them can men come into contact with the Holy Ghost
• Not allowing eruptions in praise/prayer, fiery exhortations; an unwillingness to hear those who proclaim the truth
• Dogma; A liturgy, however beautiful, is a melancholy witness to the quenching of the Spirit – it could never compare for fervour with the spontaneous prayers of a living Church
• Allowing other things to take over our thoughts that should not
• Having a harsh attitude; being gloomy; being over-critical
• Not being willing to go along with God

SOURCES: Commentaries: Barnes, Ellicott, Gill, Expositor’s, Matthew Henry, & God’s Word 4 You – Online