Scripture to Read: 2 Timothy 4:14-15
It is almost guaranteed, in our lifetime, that we will have Christian friends who will disappoint us, fail us, betray us, and choose to walk away from their fellowship with our Lord. We know this because God warns us, as believers, NOT to grieve (Ephesians 4:30), nor quench (1 Thessalonians 5:19) His Holy Spirit who dwells in us. God would not give us, as believers, these warnings unless we were capable of sinning in this way. Today, in 2 Timothy 4:14-15, we find that Alexander had chosen to both grieve and quench the Holy Spirit, as God had Paul share that Alexander had done great harm to Paul. God had Paul mention Alexander, in his earlier letter in 1 Timothy 1:19-20 when God had Paul write, “some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme.” Let’s not miss the fact that God had Paul remind Timothy and us in 2 Timothy 4:14 that our Lord is the one who will repay and that it is NOT our job to repay. God promises all believers, in Hebrews 12:5-11, that He disciplines His children. But, even though we know God disciplines His own, we must still guard against those who are seeking to do us harm. God has Paul warn Timothy to be on guard against Alexander as well. As a wise servant of our Lord, we do not want to willingly put ourselves in harm's way.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about believers who willingly grieve and quench the Holy Spirit of God within them?
2. How are you guarding against grieving and quenching the Holy Spirit of God in you?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!