Don’t Quench The Spirit
- Ray Reynolds, Ph.D.
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
In the churches of Christ we ride the wave of an incredible L2L weekend each Easter. In my opinion, Lads to Leaders is the greatest work in our brotherhood. It’s a tradition to feel that buoyant annual joy that spills over into the rest of the year. The youth group is a buzz. Parents are posting pictures and videos of their kids using their talents. The elders are elated to invest in the future leaders of the church. Things are just wonderful! Right?
Many of the activities our youth group participate in are what are considered “year round” activities. These are non-competitive events. We focus heavily on year-round speech, year-round singing, year-round bulletin board, and Good Samaritan projects. The convention is simply an opportunity for us to praise the kids that are using their talents. And, even the competitive events are exciting for our kids. not to promote winning above all else, but to cultivate a spirit of friendly rivalry that motivates youth to improve and hone their skills. There are nationally televised Bible bowl competitions and Bible trivia programs. Who wouldn’t want their kids at a spiritual feast that promotes mentoring, leadership, and real discipleship?
Then, you arrive home. And almost inevitably, the whispers start. Facebook comes alive with trolls. The little jabs. The subtle criticisms. Each harsh social media post feels like a cold splash of water on a perfectly burning fire. Shots at the judges. Criticisms about competition. It makes you wonder about this strange human tendency to dampen the spirits of others, especially after they've experienced something wonderful. I just had to write about it.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, offered some timeless wisdom on this very subject. In I Thessalonians 5:19, he urged, "Do not quench the Spirit." This isn't just a standalone command; it's nestled within a broader context of respecting the diverse ways God works in people's lives. Verses 20-22 encourage us not to despise the talents others and abstain from every form of evil. When we criticize and tear down others, especially when they are expressing their gifts or celebrating joy, aren't we in danger of quenching that very Spirit Paul warned against?
Jesus himself had strong words for those who would discourage or harm the vulnerable. In Matthew 18:6 and Luke 17:2, He speaks powerfully about the consequences for those who cause little ones to stumble. While these verses often refer to children in a literal sense, the principle extends to all those who are new in faith. Young people who are simply expressing their enthusiasm should not become exposed to such crushing criticism on social media. Our words have weight, and to use them to tear down someone's burgeoning joy is a heavy burden to carry.
Think about the power of our tongues, as James so eloquently described. Ephesians 4:29 advises us to let no corrupting talk come out of our mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Our words should be like fresh sunshine, nurturing growth and fostering encouragement, not like a storm front, threatening to extinguish the light. What is the negativity?
Even in the wisdom of Proverbs, we find gems like 17:28, which reminds us that even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. There's a profound truth in knowing when to hold our tongues, especially when our words are likely to be critical or negative. If you don’t like a program, or an event, or an activity, or the fact that your kid didn’t place in a careful… you don’t have to post harsh content on the same platform where joy is expressed about the same event. Don’t tag people or reference people to make your point. Practice Matthew 18:15-17.
This brings me back to our precious children. They are so full of unbridled enthusiasm and unfiltered joy. How easily that can be crushed by a careless word or a dismissive tone. Instead of picking apart their efforts or highlighting their shortcomings, shouldn't we be lifting them up, celebrating their small victories, praising them for having courage to compete and nurturing their innate sense of wonder? The same principle applies to everyone around us. Let's actively seek the good in every situation, in every person. It's there, even if it's hidden beneath the surface. Look for the good.
And if we truly can't find something positive to say? Perhaps the most loving and impactful action we can take is to simply remain silent. To hold onto that negativity, preventing it from spilling out and casting a shadow on someone else's light. I find it interesting that most villains, or the antagonist in a story, didn’t get fair treatment at one time of their life. Their solution? Make everyone else miserable. How does that work out?
Ultimately, our lives are meant to be a reflection of God's glory. How can that glory shine through if we are constantly diminishing the joy and stifling the spirit of those around us? Let's choose encouragement over criticism, upliftment over tearing down, and silence over negativity. Only then, when we are building each other up in love and respect can God truly be glorified in our interactions and in our lives. May we consider others over ourselves. Especially our precious children.
You are loved.
Ray Reynolds, PhD
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