Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.
--1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on September 5, 2013 of Proverbs 2:12-19; 1 Thessalonians 5; Job 31:24-33:11.
Paul concludes his first letter to the church in Thessalonica by discussing a few duties the believers should see to, including that they recognize and appreciate their church leaders and spiritual teachers (verses 12 and 13). This is also where Paul gives a frequently quoted instruction: to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, to give thanks in everything (verses 16 through 18). In this Paul gives excellent advice to us all, to look for the good in all situations, to notice the hand of God at work no matter what else is going on, to find something in any circumstance to be thankful to God for. The new believers in Thessalonica needed to remember this as they faced daily persecution and pressure form their peers to return to their earlier pagan practices. Looking for something good in all situations helps us abide in the Lord.
And this leads to Paul's instructions in today's focus verses. Again, while this advice is certainly pertinent to those relatively new in their Christian faith, it definitely applies to all of us, perhaps most especially to those of us who have become complacent in our faith. First, we must not quench the Holy Spirit within us. The Spirit is often referred to in fire-like terms, such as in the depiction of the Pentecost where "divided tongues, as of fire" touched everyone present (please see Acts 2:3). Paul cautions us not to pour water on the Spirit but let Him burn within us. We douse the Spirit by ignoring Him, allowing Satan inroads into our soul. We quench the Spirit when we stifle His ministry, whether within ourselves or in our church family. We need to let the Spirit burn, we need to let Him move, within ourselves and our church.
Along similar lines, we should not hate or be jealous of any prophetic words, spoken by us or by others. Sometimes God gives revelation to people for them to share with the rest of us, such as what Jesus gave to the Apostle John that he saved for us all in his Book of Revelation, the last entry in our Holy Bible. We should trust in prophecy communicated by the Spirit and not be envious of the messenger. This leads directly to our last instruction to test all things, only keeping what is right and good. Scripture tells us that as the end of days draws nearer, false prophets and teachers will become more and more prevalent and vocal. We must be on our guard, examine everything, use what our Bible tells us as a guide, pray for discernment from God, and hold firmly to what is good and righteous and toss the rest. The Spirit will help us if we don't quench Him. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks. Amen.
Lord Jesus, thank You for sending God's Holy Spirit to live within us, to guide us and comfort us. May He always burn within us with an unquenchable fire, allowing us to understand what is good and leading us in a personal ministry that will further our Father's kingdom. In Your holy name, Jesus our Redeemer we pray. Amen.
And this leads to Paul's instructions in today's focus verses. Again, while this advice is certainly pertinent to those relatively new in their Christian faith, it definitely applies to all of us, perhaps most especially to those of us who have become complacent in our faith. First, we must not quench the Holy Spirit within us. The Spirit is often referred to in fire-like terms, such as in the depiction of the Pentecost where "divided tongues, as of fire" touched everyone present (please see Acts 2:3). Paul cautions us not to pour water on the Spirit but let Him burn within us. We douse the Spirit by ignoring Him, allowing Satan inroads into our soul. We quench the Spirit when we stifle His ministry, whether within ourselves or in our church family. We need to let the Spirit burn, we need to let Him move, within ourselves and our church.
Along similar lines, we should not hate or be jealous of any prophetic words, spoken by us or by others. Sometimes God gives revelation to people for them to share with the rest of us, such as what Jesus gave to the Apostle John that he saved for us all in his Book of Revelation, the last entry in our Holy Bible. We should trust in prophecy communicated by the Spirit and not be envious of the messenger. This leads directly to our last instruction to test all things, only keeping what is right and good. Scripture tells us that as the end of days draws nearer, false prophets and teachers will become more and more prevalent and vocal. We must be on our guard, examine everything, use what our Bible tells us as a guide, pray for discernment from God, and hold firmly to what is good and righteous and toss the rest. The Spirit will help us if we don't quench Him. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and in everything give thanks. Amen.
Lord Jesus, thank You for sending God's Holy Spirit to live within us, to guide us and comfort us. May He always burn within us with an unquenchable fire, allowing us to understand what is good and leading us in a personal ministry that will further our Father's kingdom. In Your holy name, Jesus our Redeemer we pray. Amen.
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