"See that no one renders (returns) evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue (follow) what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always (continually), pray without ceasing (with perseverance), in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Jesus Christ for you. Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the (Holy) Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things: hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil." 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22 These are the responsibilities of every member of the home, but especially of the Father. The father must teach these things both by word and example. We need the free flow of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in the home, and we know that God's Spirit flows freely when the heart is obedient, submissive, and willing. The Spirit is very gentle and lifts from the angry, fearful, proud, or hard heart. The father's office in the home, as with all offices in the Church, is an office that requires deep humility. It is very easy to quench the Spirit. Criticism quenches the Spirit. Working around the house or on the job with anger, worry, stress, or any strong fleshly emotion will quench the Spirit. Any thoughts of sexual immorality, if entertained, will quench the Spirit. The office of husband and father requires righteousness, which leads to holiness.

A critical spirit will quench the Holy Spirit. There are ways that a father can lead the members of his family to higher heights and deeper depths in God by the Spirit. Criticism is NOT one of the ways that the Holy Spirit uses. Complaining can lead to criticism and finally to contempt. When it reaches the point of contempt, the person holding the contempt is in deep spiritual trouble. If it is the father, he will begin to destroy his family and his life. Holding a grudge, unforgiveness, repeatedly thinking about wrongs done to you, will also quench the Spirit. A father must not hold anger, bitterness, or resentment against anyone, and by so doing, will teach his family how to live in godly righteousness, being tender-hearted, and forgiving by the power of the Holy Spirit. Remember, God does every work that is righteousness, even forgiveness. Unforgiveness can lead to the hard heart of bitterness. Bitterness will definitely quench the Spirit. It will corrupt the whole family and will even have a negative effect on the local Church and beyond. Once bitterness is established in the heart, the mind, the soul, its roots go deep and it is difficult to get rid of. Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and it also quenches the Holy Spirit. The father must walk in submission to the local elders and deacons, to governmental authority and laws, and to the traveling ministries. By doing this, he will teach his family to walk in submission. Every member or the Body of Christ is to submit to every other member of the Body of Christ. There is to be tremendous respect for each member. As the father fulfills this, respecting and submitting to his wife and children as members of the Body of Christ, he will teach his family true humility and the Holy Spirit will flow. It is impossible to submit to God, Whom you cannot see, if you do not submit to the members of the Body of Christ, whom you can see. This is also part of that discernment of the Body of Christ, which is what transfigures you.

Other things can quench the Spirit. There was a man who was led to stop watching and reading news. At first, he couldn't understand this and it took him years to fully obey God in this matter. Once he did obey, his life improved. He found that the negativity in the news that used to affect his thinking, was gone. God was leading him to get rid of something that He knew was bad for this man. "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not" 1 Corinthians 10:23 If it is not building you up, then why are you doing it? If God didn't command you to do it, then why are you doing it?