Shall we surrender to every single whim, desire, craving, and compulsion? Or should we sbennumi (a Greek word that looks like this in the original language: ζβέννυμι and means suppress or stifle) some of them?

If we need to sbennumi, what shall we suppress and stifle? Is it possible to sbennumi the wrong things? Yes! The Bible says:

“Do not sbennumi (suppress, stifle, hold back, extinguish, put out, thwart, or quench) the Spirit.”

It is tragic when we suppress or stifle or hold back the voice of God in our hearts. There is none so deaf as she/he who chooses not to hear and obey God.

What then should we suppress and stifle?

“Take up the shield of faith, with which you can “sbennumi” (suppress, stifle, hold back, extinguish, thwart, or quench) all the flaming arrows of the evil one.”

Let’s suppress and stifle and hold back every single self-destructive and/or wrongful desire that enters our heart, inflames our desire, or rises up in our mind!