our daily bread
Dexu Xia
Invisible Influence
Do not quench the Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19
On a visit to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, I saw a masterpiece called The Wind. The painting showed a storm moving through a wooded area. Tall, thin trees leaned to the left. Bushes thrashed in the same direction.
In an even more powerful sense, the Holy Spirit is able to sway believers in the direction of God’s goodness and truth. If we go along with the Spirit, we can expect to become more courageous and more loving. We will also become more discerning about how to handle our desires (2 Tim. 1:7).
The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. 1 Thessalonians 5:24
In some situations, however, the Spirit nudges us toward spiritual growth and change, but we respond with a “no.” Continually stonewalling this conviction is what Scripture calls “quench[ing] the Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19). Over time, things we once considered wrong appear not to be quite as bad.
When our relationship with God seems distant and disconnected, this may be because the Spirit’s conviction has been repeatedly brushed aside. The longer this goes on, the harder it is to see the root of the problem. Thankfully, we can pray and ask God to show us our sin. If we turn away from sin and recommit ourselves to Him, God will forgive us and revive the power and influence of His Spirit within us.
God, show me how I have resisted Your Holy Spirit. Help me to listen when You speak. I want to be right with You again.
Yielding to the Holy Spirit leads to right living.
无形的力量
不要消灭圣灵的感动。-帖撒罗尼迦前书5章19节
在参观美国华盛顿特区的国家艺廊时，我看到一幅画作，标题为《风》。画作描绘了暴风横扫树林，不仅将高耸挺拔的树木吹得几乎倒下，就连低矮的灌木丛也全都倾向同一个方向。
然而，有一股比暴风更强大的力量，那就是圣灵，能让信徒倾向上帝的美善和真理。我们若随从圣灵的引导，将变得更刚强、更有爱心，并知道如何自律、有智慧地胜过自己的欲望（提摩太后书1章7节） 。
在某些情况下，圣灵催逼我们改变，在灵命上有长进，但我们的回应却是拒绝。我们若不断抗拒圣灵的引导，不肯顺服，就是圣经所说：“消灭圣灵的感动”（帖撒罗尼迦前书5章19节）。久而久之，过去我们所认为明显的错误，也会变成无所谓了。
有时，我们与上帝的关系日渐疏远冷淡，或许是因为我们不断地拒绝顺服圣灵。时间越久，我们就越难察觉问题的根源。然而感谢主，我们能够祷告，求上帝显明我们的恶行。我们若能离弃罪恶，再一次回转归向上帝，祂就会赦免我们，并让住在我们里面的圣灵，再次复兴我们。
上帝啊，求祢让我明白自己如何拒绝圣灵。
当祢对我说话时，求祢帮助我用心聆听，好恢复我与祢之间的亲密关系。