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.

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Illustration

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

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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.

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