Topical Encyclopedia
The term "stifle" generally refers to the act of suppressing, restraining, or holding back something. In a biblical context, it can relate to the suppression of spiritual growth, the quenching of the Holy Spirit, or the hindrance of God's work in one's life. The concept of stifling is not directly mentioned in the Bible using this specific term, but the idea is present in various passages that warn against actions or attitudes that can hinder spiritual progress or the work of God.
Quenching the SpiritOne of the most direct biblical references related to the concept of stifling is found in the Apostle Paul's exhortation to the Thessalonians: "Do not quench the Spirit" (
1 Thessalonians 5:19). Here, "quench" is akin to stifling, as it implies putting out the fire of the Holy Spirit, thereby suppressing His influence and work in the believer's life. This warning suggests that believers have a responsibility to remain open and responsive to the Spirit's guidance and not to hinder His activity through disobedience or neglect.
Suppressing Truth and RighteousnessThe Bible also addresses the suppression of truth and righteousness, which can be seen as a form of stifling. In
Romans 1:18, Paul writes, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the ungodliness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness" . This suppression, or stifling, of truth leads to spiritual blindness and moral decay, as individuals choose to ignore or reject God's revealed truth.
Hindering Spiritual GrowthStifling can also occur when believers allow sin, distractions, or worldly concerns to hinder their spiritual growth. Jesus' parable of the sower illustrates this concept, particularly in the seed that fell among thorns: "But the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful" (
Mark 4:19). Here, the word "choke" conveys the idea of stifling, as these factors prevent the seed of God's Word from bearing fruit in a person's life.
Resisting God's WorkIn the book of Acts, Stephen addresses the Sanhedrin, accusing them of resisting the Holy Spirit: "You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did" (
Acts 7:51). This resistance is a form of stifling God's work, as it involves a deliberate refusal to accept and act upon the Spirit's conviction and leading.
Encouragement to Avoid StiflingBelievers are encouraged to cultivate an environment where the Spirit can work freely and effectively. This involves maintaining a posture of humility, obedience, and openness to God's leading. In
Ephesians 4:30, Paul advises, "And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption" . Grieving the Spirit can be seen as a form of stifling, as it involves actions or attitudes that are contrary to God's will and hinder His work in our lives.
In summary, while the specific term "stifle" may not be frequently used in Scripture, the concept is woven throughout biblical teachings, emphasizing the importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to work unhindered in our lives and avoiding actions or attitudes that suppress spiritual growth and truth.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To stop the breath of by smothering; to choke; to suffocate; to cause the death of by such means; as, to stifle one with smoke or dust.
2. (n.) The joint next above the hock, and near the flank, in the hind leg of the horse and allied animals; the joint corresponding to the knee in man; -- called also stifle joint.
3. (v. t.) To stop; to extinguish; to deaden; to quench; as, to stifle the breath; to stifle a fire or flame.
4. (v. t.) To suppress the manifestation or report of; to smother; to conceal from public knowledge; as, to stifle a story; to stifle passion.
5. (v. i.) To die by reason of obstruction of the breath, or because some noxious substance prevents respiration.
Greek
638. apopnigo -- to choke... choke, drown. From apo and pnigo; to
stifle (by drowning or overgrowth) -- choke.
see GREEK apo. see GREEK pnigo. (apepnige) -- 1 Occurrence.
...Library
Ahab and Elijah
... abroad rest and comfort. It is easy to kill a conscience"after a fashion
at least. It is easy tostifle it. It is easy to come...
The Bequest of Peace.
... Somestifle anxiety about worldly things by impressing on themselves that fretting
does no good, and that what cannot be cured must be endured; and any anxiety...
St. Peter of Alcantara Comforts the Saint. Great Temptations and...
... work, which it produces. It seems tostifle the soul and trammel the body,
so as to make them good for nothing. 11. Now, though the...
Sermon
... Civilisation represents an elaborate system of auxiliary disciplines, designed to
stifle as far as may be the brute in man and to strengthen the acquired...
Book I to Pleasant Songs My Work was Erstwhile Given, and Bright...
... These are they whostifle the fruit-bearing harvest of reason with the barren briars
of the passions: they free not the minds of men from disease, but accustom...
The Naturalness of Prayer
... He is always confronting us, judging us, saving us in a spiritual world, which Nature
does notstifle, but only makes it more universal and impressive than our...
Significance of Compulsory Service.
... Educated people of the upper classes are trying tostifle the ever-growing sense
of the necessity of transforming the existing social order....
Of Scoffing and Derision.
... like it not in one respect, yet are many time so transported with it in the other,
that they choose rather to propagate the contumely, thanstifle the conceit....
The Hindrances to Mourning
... Now when westifle these motions, which is called a quenching the Spirit (1
Thessalonians 5:19), then we do, as it were, hinder the tide from coming in....
Treats of How God Inspires the Soul with Such Vehement and...
... This increases the anguish to such a degree that the sufferer gives vent to loud
cries which she cannotstifle, however patient and accustomed to pain she may...
Thesaurus
Stifle (5 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To stop the breath of by smothering; to choke; to suffocate; to cause the
death of by such means; as, to
stifle one with smoke or dust.
...Falls (79 Occurrences)
... It quickly shows itself above ground, because it has no depth of earth; (WEY). Matthew
13:7 Some falls among the thorns; but the thorns spring up andstifle it....
Message (222 Occurrences)
... has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears the Message, but the
cares of the present age and the delusions of riches quitestifle the Message...
Choke (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To render unable to breathe by filling, pressing
upon, or squeezing the windpipe; tostifle; to suffocate; to strangle....
Strangle (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vt) Tostifle, choke, or suffocate in any manner. 3. (vt) To hinder from appearance;
tostifle; to suppress. 4. (vi) To be strangled, or suffocated....
Spring (122 Occurrences)
... light spring up. (ASV). Matthew 13:7 Some falls among the thorns; but the
thorns spring up andstifle it. (WEY). Mark 4:7 Some, again...
Yields (21 Occurrences)
... RSV). Mark 4:7 Some, again, falls among the thorns; and the thorns spring
up andstifle it, so that it yields no crop. (WEY). Mark...
Quite (55 Occurrences)
... has received the seed among the thorns is the man who hears the Message, but the
cares of the present age and the delusions of riches quitestifle the Message...
Objects (30 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:19 but worldly cares and the deceitfulness of wealth and the excessive pursuit
of other objects come in andstifle the Message, and it becomes unfruitful...
Grow (139 Occurrences)
... him. (Root in WEB NAS). Luke 8:7 Another part falls among the thorns, and
the thorns grow up with it andstifle it. (WEY BBE). Luke...
Resources
What are the different names and titles of the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgAre many practices and traditions in Christianity actually pagan in origin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord? | GotQuestions.orgStifle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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