Mar 8, 2009

Quench not...

I don't know what is a scarier thought to me, ignoring the Holy Spirit's work in my life or quenching it.

Ignoring.
1. to refrain from noticing or recognizing
2. to reject on the grounds of insufficient evidence

Quenching.  
1. to slake, satisfy, or allay (thirst, desires, passion, etc.)
2. to put out or extinguish (fire, flames, etc.)
3. to cool suddenly by plunging into a liquid
4. to subdue or destroy; overcome; quell

The best way for me to really see the difference of the two is to apply it to my everyday life. Nate walks in the door with a really exciting idea for redoing our bedroom. He's put a lot of thought into it, and has the plans and is busy measuring. My first reaction is to just pretend I don't hear the tape measure rattling and go about folding laundry. He gets a little louder talking about barnwood boards and tin siding. I dread spending the money so, maybe, if I walk downstairs he'll go back to work. He gets the feeling that I don't want to talk about it but he knows he's getting ready to begin the project and wants my approval. This is ignoring. So because I am not saying anything, he excitedly tells me how he is going to start the project and order the materials. He saw a picture in a magazine and thinks he can achieve the look. I've had enough, so I whip around and snap, "I guess you're the one around here that gets to make all the decisions, I just wanted new paint and you're planning on spending like $1000, I really don't even like your ideas, you always go overboard." That, my friend, is quenching.

My prayer for all of us is to recognize, acknowledge, and obey the Holy Spirit today.
Don't ignore or quench His work.
Or your husband's, either.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Wow, thanks for sharing the two definitions. I think both are equally scary. Thanks for the prayer not to ignore or quench!
Blessings!