Paul Gets Sideways

Daily Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5

Scripture Focus: Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5.19-22)

Devotional Thought: Have you ever written sideways on a card because you had run out of room?  I get the feeling that's what Paul was feeling when he finished up 1 Thessalonians.  Instead of turning the scroll sideways, though, he just abbreviated everything into a few terse statements:

• Do not quench the Spirit.  The Quest Study Bible says, “There are at least two ways individuals can put out the fire of the Spirit: 1) by not acknowledging the Spirit’s power and freedom to act, or 2) by attempting to do the Spirit’s work in human strength.”  Also, prayerlessness, disbelief, disobedience, irreverence, and mockery will quench the Spirit.

• Do not despise prophecies.  This is related to the quenching of the Spirit.  The Spirit anoints and empowers the preacher of the Gospel.  So, when we discredit the message or the messenger, we are in danger of showing contempt toward God and his work!

• Test everything.  Hold fast what is good.  We must not, however, simply accept everything.  There is much “bad theology” going around today.  Some of it is in the church, but much of our theology is formed by popular culture.  All philosophies must be compared to the Bible to determine whether they are acceptable or not.

• Avoid every kind of evil.  Evil comes in many forms doesn’t it?  It can be seen in behavior.  But, it also can be heard in hateful and divisive words.  Evil can be manifested in attitudes that are not like Christ's.  Evil can be private and personal, or it can be public and corporate.  Whatever its form, Paul says to avoid it!

Prayer: Lord, help me to heed the words of the Bible that teach me to welcome the voice of the Spirit as confirmed by your Word.  As I take in your Word, help me to live it out in holiness and love.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 31.14-18

14 But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."

15 My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!

16 Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love!

17 O LORD, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol.

18 Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt.