God's Holy Fire: 'Stifle?'

Thursday, September 17, 2026

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.
— 1 Thessalonians 5:19 NLT

Key Thought

Have you ever been in the mood to kick up your heels, have some good ol' clean fun, and whoop and holler a little bit, but have found yourself in a formal situation where such behavior would not be tolerated? We feel stifled in such moments. Have you ever wondered how many times you've forced the Holy Spirit into a similar situation - stifling his efforts to encourage, empower, inspire, comfort, thrill, convict, motivate, sanctify, and enable you or others?

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, forgive me for the times that I have stifled the influence of your Holy Spirit in worship, in other parts of my life, and in the lives of others. Please fill, empower, convict, encourage, motivate, inspire, comfort, and enable me, and make me holy through the work of your personal presence, the Holy Spirit. In Jesus' name, I ask this. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

Got Spirit?
Illustration of 1 Thessalonians 5:19
e-card image of 1 Thessalonians 5:19 -- Got Spirit? Do not put out the Spirit's fire.
Don't Quench the Spirit!
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil."
Joy, Prayer, the Spirit's Fire
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, holy God, Help me always to be joyful and to pray continually, giving thanks to you in all circumstances, since this is your will for me..."
Living with Character & Compassion
Devo: A Year with Jesus
"Dear Disciple, In his first letter to the Thessalonian Christians, Paul wrapped his teaching on My coming back in glory — which we will..."
See All 5 Related Resources about 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Illustration

Illustration of 1 Thessalonians 5:19 NLT — Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, September 17, 2026

Today's Verse
A daily devotional featuring a Bible verse, thought and prayer.
Galatians 5:16
"Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'More than Filling the Gap' (Acts 1:20-21)
"Peter continued [about the need to replace Judas], "This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, 'Let his home become desolate, with no one...."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Don't Forget Why I Came!'
"Dear Disciple, Human nature leads you to be fascinated with miracles. Many folks through the ages have portrayed Me as a miracle-worker. While it is...."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'The Sign of Righteousness' (Ro. 4:6-12)
"Dear Father, Thank you that the words your servant David spoke apply to us: "Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are..."

About This Devotional

God's Holy Fire is a daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The Thoughts and Prayer for God's Holy Fire are written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations marked MESSAGE are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

More God's Holy Fire

Translations