In order to study the influence of water on the oxidation kinetics of coal samples, lignite was treated by low-temperature vacuum drying to obtain lignite with different water content. The experimental coal samples were tested by three kinds of coal samples. The oxygen consumption rate and its activation energy were analyzed. The results show that: regardless of the coal sample, the oxygen consumption rate increases exponentially with the increase of oxidation temperature. At a certain oxidation temperature, oxygen consumption, the rate increases with the decrease of coal sample moisture; with the increase of coal water content, the apparent activation energy of coal oxidation process increases, and the spontaneous combustion characteristics of coal will decrease with the increase of the moisture content of coal  vary; maintaining the wetness of the coal after mining and sealing on the working face have positive significance for preventing spontaneous combustion of coal.