What are some factors that can quench the Spirit?

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not quench the Spirit [1 Thessalonians 5:9]. The Holy Spirit works in us and gives us spiritual heat. But it does not cancel our freedom. We have the freedom to maintain this heat, or to turn it off. The Holy Spirit does not force us to do good, but rather encourages us and guides us to it. He works with us if we do good. The more we participate with the Holy Spirit, and the more our spirits work with Him, the more His heat in our hearts burns, and drives thought and will, and the person grows day after day in the life of the Spirit. The love of God burns within us…but in practice we do not always retain this spiritual heat. It is often hidden or extinguished within us. Lack of spiritual heat, caused by spiritual apathy. The complete loss of this heat causes spiritual coldness. Both of them are dangerous to human life and spirituality. They are often a prelude to falling into sin, as they provide the medium in which Satan can work, without resistance from the human will. The extinguishing of spiritual heat applies in two senses: The extinguishing of the sacred flame that is in your human soul, which is naturally inclined to goodness, as it may Create in the image of God. The work of the Holy Spirit in your heart is extinguished, as a result of your refusal to participate with Him… There is no doubt that the spiritual heat will not be extinguished by external and internal reasons. Not all external factors can quench the spirit, regardless of their severity or pressure. The internal state must have weakened, giving these external factors their power. This is because external factors can sometimes provoke a pure heart into a spirit of resistance, increasing its fervor and desire for victory. Thus, these external causes might achieve the opposite effect of what the devil intends. In the presence of these spiritual battles from the outside, the work of grace within intensifies, and the Holy Spirit supports the person. As the Apostle said: “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more” (Romans 5:20). Therefore, external factors are merely auxiliary. They might initiate, press, and insist, causing internal weakness that accepts their influence, or they might exploit an existing internal weakness to bring about their intended effect. Negative Environment and Extinguishing the Spirit 1. At the forefront of external causes is a negative environment and a non-spiritual atmosphere. A prominent example of this is what happened to righteous Lot in Sodom. The scripture says: “For that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard” (2 Peter 2:8). The righteous Lot had to leave that environment, as the angel told him: “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back and don’t stop anywhere in the plain!” (Genesis 19:17). Lot lost his spiritual fervor in Sodom. His words lost their warmth and impact, which is why when he urged his sons-in-law to leave Sodom, they thought he was joking (Genesis 19:24). A corrupt environment can do more than extinguish the spirit; it can “corrupt good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33) and even affect one’s faith and vows. The impact of the environment also includes what extinguishes the spirit within the family, as it is said: “A man’s enemies will be the members of his own household” (Matthew 10:36). This also extends to unwholesome friendships, some colleagues, certain readings, media, and any external influence that extinguishes the spirit. Examples of this include Solomon the Wise and Samson the Strong. Solomon, who was granted wisdom by God’s Spirit and to whom there was none like before or after, had his heart turned by foreign women toward other gods (1 Kings 11:3-4). Similarly, Samson, who was stirred by the Spirit of the Lord, broke his vow through association with Delilah, leading to the Lord leaving him and his strength departing (Judges 16:19-20). Because of the danger posed by a negative environment, God commanded avoiding association with unbelieving nations and foreign women. 2. Another factor is the influence of problems and events. Everyone’s life is subject to problems and events. Does this necessarily lead to a loss of spiritual fervor? Certainly not. The real danger lies in how we deal with these problems. Problems can extinguish spiritual fervor if they consume a person, capturing their thoughts and emotions entirely, leaving no time for prayer. Even when praying, their thoughts wander to the problem, thus extinguishing the spirit’s work because they are too preoccupied for any spiritual activity. This also leads to anxiety and turmoil. A spiritual person, however, deepens their prayers in times of trouble, praying for solutions, thus increasing their fervor. They present their concerns to God, trusting that He will resolve them. By confronting problems with a spirit of prayer and faith, they do not allow the problems to overwhelm them, maintaining their spiritual fervor. David the prophet, surrounded by troubles, would turn to his psalms and lyre, pouring out his soul fervently before God, even when many troubled him, saying there was no salvation for him in God (Psalm 3). David did not lose his fervor in times of distress because he did not focus solely on the problems but meditated on God’s judgments and laws, finding comfort and increasing his fervor. He said: “Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands give me delight” (Psalm 119:143). 3. Many forms of talk, especially those that are unspiritual or frivolous, can extinguish the spirit. Idle conversations, gossip, and discussions about people can distract from spirituality and reduce fervor. As scripture says: “When words are many, sin is not absent” (Proverbs 10:19). One father in the monastic tradition stated that walking with a virtuous person to church could advance you ten years in spiritual life, while walking with a lax person could set you back fifty years! Often, after talking with someone, you may find that your spiritual warmth has diminished. Leaving church filled with spiritual warmth and consolation can be quickly extinguished by engaging in trivial or contentious conversations. This is why St. Macarius the Great would tell his brothers upon leaving church: “Flee, brothers, flee,” indicating the need to avoid conversations that cool their spiritual fervor. The devil might not prevent people from going to church but will wait outside to dissipate the grace they have received. He knows that engaging them in worldly talk after services can undo the blessings they received. 4. Intense and prolonged spiritual battles can sometimes extinguish the spirit. Certain spiritual struggles call for increased prayer and effort, but persistent and overwhelming battles, especially those involving thoughts and senses, can lead to a loss of fervor if not resulting in sin. God’s mercy, however, does not let these battles dominate, and He intervenes to save His servants. Internal factors that lead to quenching the spirit often include spiritual lukewarmness, laziness, and neglect in spiritual practices. 1.⁠ ⁠Laziness and Complacency: – A spiritual person is characterized by seriousness and enthusiasm in their spiritual practices. When laziness creeps in, one might find numerous justifications and excuses, which can turn into a habit or a natural disposition over time. Eventually, one may find themselves unable to overcome this laziness even if they try. – Combatting Laziness: Forcing oneself to engage in spiritual activities is crucial. St. Isaac the Syrian advises: “Force yourself to pray at night and increase your Psalms. Even if you are tired or sleepy, don’t succumb to it; stand and pray. Make your prayer lengthy.” – Do not delay when the spirit calls you to a holy act. Delaying leads to laziness and diminishes the soul’s yearning to be in God’s presence. This includes postponing repentance, confession, and communion. Unlike Felix the governor who postponed his response to Paul’s teachings (Acts 24:25), the prodigal son immediately acted on his desire to return to his father (Luke 15:18-20). 2.⁠ ⁠Excuses for Laziness: – Do not cover your laziness with excuses. Instead, overcome them and maintain a vibrant spiritual life. Laziness invites the devil to further encourage spiritual neglect. – Laziness does not require discussion or justification; it is best countered by forcing oneself into action. Even if you start praying without much desire, the desire will likely come as you continue. 3.⁠ ⁠Neglecting Prayer: – Many people who fall into spiritual lukewarmness often start by neglecting their prayers and Psalms. Prayer deepens the connection with God and brings warmth to the heart. Even brief prayers can maintain this connection. – Engage in brief moments of prayer throughout the day, even during work or busy moments. Phrases like “Lord” said earnestly can sustain spiritual warmth. – If you neglect to remember God during your daily activities, your mind will fill with other distractions, leading to further spiritual complications. 4.⁠ ⁠Idle Thoughts: – Failing to quickly dismiss wrongful thoughts allows them to gain strength and dominance over you. Laziness in dismissing these thoughts can quench the spirit. 5.⁠ ⁠Lack of Spiritual Fervor: – A fervent spirit requires enthusiasm in positive spiritual actions and resistance to negative influences. This includes resisting sinful thoughts and overcoming laziness. 6.⁠ ⁠Worldly Desires: – Passions, love for the world, and bodily desires can also quench the spirit. This includes desires for revenge, wealth, honor, and various worldly pleasures. – As the scripture says, “Friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4). Such desires can divert your heart from God and the spiritual path, causing spiritual coldness or even leading to sin. 7.⁠ ⁠Distractions and Leisure: – Excessive engagement in entertainment and leisure can divert your emotions and desires from God, extinguishing the spirit. When leisure activities become excessive, they pose a risk to spiritual health. 8.⁠ ⁠Lack of Spiritual Nourishment: – Keep adding spiritual fuel to the sacred fire within you through prayer, meditation, spiritual reading, hymns, and participation in spiritual gatherings. – Regularly nourish your spirit to maintain its warmth and avoid falling into spiritual coldness or lukewarmness. In essence, maintaining spiritual fervor requires constant vigilance against laziness, distractions, and worldly desires. Actively engage in spiritual practices and resist complacency to keep the spirit alive and vibrant within you.