Are You a Wet Blanket on the Spirit?

By Julie Morris –

As Thanksgiving approaches this year, let’s look at what the Bible says about giving thanks. God commands us to give thanks in everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and in the next verse He warns us what will happen if we don’t—He says, “Don’t put out the Spirit’s fire”  (1 Thessalonians 5:19 NIV).

What He’s saying is that we will be a wet blanket on the Holy Spirit’s work within us if we don’t give thanks—and our spiritual, physical and emotional health will suffer. But this isn’t the once-a-year type of thanks. It’s daily thanksgiving.

Let’s look at the awesome things that the Holy Spirit does in us and what may happen if we’re a wet-blanket on the Spirit.

The Holy Spirit produces the delicious fruit of the Spirit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and (last but not least!) self-control (Ephesians 5:21-23 NIV). If we put a wet blanket on the Spirit by not giving thanks, we might find ourselves producing rotten fruit. As you read the list below, place a check next to any rotten fruit that you’re producing:

• Hatefulness instead of love
• Depression instead of joy
• Fear instead of peace
• Impatience instead of patience
• Rudeness instead of kindness
• Meanness instead of goodness
• Inconsistency instead of faithfulness
• Gruffness instead of gentleness
• Undisciplined lifestyles instead of self-control

As if rotten fruit weren’t enough, if we don’t give thanks, we’ll also be a wet blanket on our spiritual gifts. That means that we either won’t have these gifts or we’ll use them wrong. Here are some examples:

• Teachers will be impatient.
• Leaders will dictate.
• Givers will throw money away indiscriminately.
• Mercy-givers will try to “fix” people.
• Evangelists will cram truth down the throats of unbelievers.
• Helpers will get mad if people don’t appreciate them.

If we don’t give thanks, we’ll be a wet blanket on other things that the Holy Spirit does in us. Here are here are just a few examples:

• · The Holy Spirit leads us into all truth. “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26 NIV).
• · The Holy Spirit gives us power. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NIV).
• The Holy Spirit fills us with hope. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13 NIV).

This Thanksgiving, make a life-changing decision to give thanks every day… in everything—no matter how challenging your circumstances— so that you won’t be a wet blanket on the Spirit at work in you.

Julie Morris (Julie@guidedbyhim.com) is the author of 12 books, a dynamic speaker and founder of two Christian weight-loss programs—Step Forward (www.stepforwarddiet.com) and a lighter and easier version of Step Forward—Guided By Him to a Thinner, Not So Stressed-Out You! (www.guidedbyhim.com).

10 Common Mistakes in Relationships

By Julie Morris –

Are you having problems in a relationship but can’t put your finger on what’s wrong? See which of these mistakes you’re making:

1. It’s His Fault—Joe is so busy playing the blame game with his boss that he doesn’t pay attention to things he’s doing to contribute to the problem. Do you ever play the blame game?

2. I’m Out Of Here—Mark doesn’t like his wife’s nagging so he works late every night, and tunes her out when he’s home. Do you withdraw either physically or emotionally from people rather than address the problem directly?

3. I’m An Exploding Volcano—Judy thinks it’s not very Christian to be angry so she stuffs her feelings toward her husband until she has more than she can hold. Then she explodes like a volcano and tells him all the horrible things she’s been thinking…and then some. Do you ever stuff your feelings until you explode?

4. I’m Her Holy Spirit—Dick feels that it’s his job to judge his wife, tell her when she’s wrong, and direct her every step. Do you try to take the Holy Spirit’s place?

5. If Only He’d Change—Brenda believes that she can never be happily married to her workaholic husband. She spends hours every day watching soap operas and reading romance novels to escape her emptiness. She is so stuck in her “if onlys” that she does nothing positive to deal with her problems. Do you live in the “if onlys”?

6. I’m Good Because I’m Submissive—Joann has a terrible fear of confrontation. She’ll do anything to keep from having an argument. She rationalizes her wimpiness to confront her husband’s ungodly behavior by calling it “submission.” Do you make excuses not to confront wrong behaviors?

7. He Deserves It—Mary’s boss is making her miserable. He piles more on her than she can do, complains constantly and never gives her a compliment. She gossips about him to anyone who will listen and does sloppy work to get even. Do you do unbecoming things and excuse them because of what others do to you?

8. If You Don’t Hear Me, I’ll Talk Louder—George has a real temper. If his 10-year-old son can’t understand when George explains his homework, he screams the instructions at him. Do you scream at someone, rather than trying to explain in a clearer way what you’re trying to say?

9. Here, Let Me Fix You—William only means to help his grown daughter with his constant stream of unasked-for advice, but he is alienating her instead. Do you feel compelled to give advice?

10. I’m Busy Doing God’s Work—Maryann teaches two Bible studies and is president of the women’s ministry at her Church. Her husband and children feel like they’re not as important to her as the things she’s doing. Do you treat your loved ones like your work is #1?

Look back over these mistakes and identify the ones you’re making. What are some things you can do to change? You’ll be amazed to see the blessings that come when you invest just a few minutes a day thinking about these things and praying for God to give you the willingness and ability to relate in a better way.

Adapted from Guided By Him…to a Thinner, Not So Stressed-Out You, by Julie Morris.

Julie Morris (julie@guidedbyhim.com) is the author of 12 books, a dynamic motivational speaker and founder of two Christian weight-loss programs: Step Forward (www.stepforwarddiet.com) and a lighter and easier version of Step Forward, Guided By Him (www.guidedbyhim.com).

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