Kenny Kopta
Jan 22, 2025
"Do not quench the Spirit"
Kindling the Word: “Do not quench the Spirit.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Stoking the Spirit: I grew up in rural Central Florida, surrounded by orange groves and cattle. Yes, Florida has a lot of cows, but that’s a story for another day. Living in the middle of those groves, I had the opportunity to drink and eat all the fresh oranges I could ever want when it was in season.
I’ll never forget the simple joy of picking an orange straight from the tree. As a kid I learned from my Dad to use my pocket knife carefully peeling the orange in one continuous spiral—making a game of it—and then cut a small circle at the top to reveal the juice inside. Holding the orange in my hand, I would squeeze it, bringing it to my lips to drink. But here’s the thing: the juice only flowed as long as I kept squeezing. If I stopped, the flow stopped. The sweet, refreshing juice was only available as long as I pressed into it.
This experience is a vivid picture of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. The juice represents the Spirit’s life-giving presence and power. We only experience His fullness when we actively engage with Him. When we stop pressing in—whether through prayer, worship, or surrender—the flow diminishes.
This reminds me of the story of the woman at the well in John 4:1–42. Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well and asks her for a drink. Through their conversation, He reveals that He can offer her “living water” that will quench her spiritual thirst forever. Intrigued, she asks for this water, and Jesus reveals His knowledge of her life and her need for spiritual renewal. She realizes He is the Messiah and runs back to her town to tell others about Him. Many Samaritans believe in Jesus because of her testimony and their own encounters with Him.
Had she not listened to Jesus’ voice and leaned into their conversation, she would have missed the life-changing experience of hearing the Holy Spirit speaking to her heart. Her willingness to engage with Jesus and be vulnerable in the moment opened the door for her transformation and ultimately the transformation of many others in her community. This shows us the importance of being attentive to when and how the Spirit speaks, and of responding with faith and surrender when He calls.
Just like the orange juice, the living water that Jesus offers represents the Holy Spirit, who continually refreshes and sustains us when we actively seek Him. We are surrounded by the work of the Holy Spirit and have direct access to tapping into His presence. When we press into the Spirit, we experience His life-giving presence and power. But if we stop, the flow diminishes. So, let us not quench the Spirit, but continually press into His presence through prayer, worship, and surrender.
Fireside Reflection: The Holy Spirit doesn’t force Himself into our lives. He patiently waits for us to lean into Him, to seek Him, and to surrender our hearts. Just as squeezing the orange releases the juice, so does pressing into the Spirit release His presence, wisdom, and power in our lives.
Are you quenching the Spirit by failing to engage with Him? Is there a part of your life where you’ve stopped “squeezing the orange,” leaving the sweet refreshment of His presence untapped?
Embers of Challenge:
Identify one area of your life where you need to rely more on the Holy Spirit.
What step can you take this week to “press in,” such as dedicating time to prayer, reading God’s Word, or responding to His promptings?
Reflect on how the Holy Spirit has refreshed and strengthened you in the past.
Ignited for Action: This week, take a moment each day to pause, pray, and invite the Holy Spirit to fill you anew. Actively seek His guidance and presence in your daily decisions and challenges. Just as you needed to squeeze the orange to enjoy its juice, intentionally press into God’s Spirit to experience His fullness.
Fireside180 Connection: The Holy Spirit is central to our journey as men of God. At Fireside180, we gather to encourage one another to draw closer to Him and to support each other in keeping the flame of faith alive. Don’t walk this journey alone—lean into your brothers and into the Spirit’s power.
Fanning the Flames in Prayer: Holy Spirit, we need You. Teach us to press into Your presence daily and not to quench Your work in our lives. Fill us with Your wisdom, strength, and peace as we surrender to You. Help us to trust in Your power, knowing You will never run dry. In Jesus Name we pray, Amen!
Keep the Fire Burning (Weekly Memory Verse): “If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” – Galatians 5:25