Quench Not The Spirit

Paul continues his admonitions, "Quench not the Spirit."  I Thessalonians 5:19.  The saved of Jesus Christ having been united with Him in baptism are given "the gift of the Holy Spirit."  Acts 2:38.  But, the saved if they so choose can drown the Spirit.  The Spirit of God is as a sacred fire within.  As one would drown a fire by throwing water upon it, so one can drown the influence of the Spirit within the soul of the saved.  We can refuse the Spirit's urgings.  We can refuse to follow the Spirit's call.  Through the allure of the world, we can quench the Spirit.  Living by our passions, we can quench the Spirit.  The Spirit abides within and provides spiritual strength to defeat lust and the invitation of worldliness.  Allowing passion to rule us causes us to quench the Spirit.  God's Holy Spirit has been given as a gift to lead the saved in the way of salvation and to empower us to overcome every device of evil.  If we surrender to Satan's devices, we have quenched the Spirit.  The Spirit enables us to destroy the carnal and walk the holy path of righteousness.  Allow that power to work within us to bring us into the purity of God's presence.