Thirsting Souls Bible Teaching

(1Th 5:21)  “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”  Prove all things means to test all things next to the light of God’s Word. Not all that is said to us in the Name of the Lord is right. We have an obligation to know the Bible so that we can rightly “prove” all things said to us. We by our fallen nature have a tendency to be impressed by man, especially if they have “Dr” before their name. Be careful. “Prove” all things. That this is right according to the Word of God – hold fast unto.

(1Th 5:21)  “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.”  Prove all things. Just becuase we like a thing or desire something does not make it “good” in the sight of God. Most often the question is, “Will this bring me closer to the Lord or further away?”  There is a standard of “good”. That standard is the Bible and our love for it and our God.  He is to come first before everyone and everything – period.

(1Th 5:20)  “Despise not prophesyings.”  The prophesying spoken of here was the giving forth of the New Testament before it was completed. Today it would the forth-telling of the Bible. I find it sad the number of professing believers today who have no real taste for the Word of God. The Bible says it is our spiritual food (milk and meat). If they are what they profess to be, their souls and spirits must be anemic.  

(1Th 5:19)  “Quench not the Spirit.”  The truly saved, each born again person, has become a temple in which the Holy Spirit lives. He is inside us to teach and guide us in the service of our Lord.  Although He could, He does not exercise dominion over our being, but allows us to still be self-willed. We must seek His guidance, we must seek His desires for us, we must seek His power to work through us in the reaching of souls and ministering to the brethren. Self-will quenches His service to and towards us. “Quench not the Spirit”.  

(1Th 5:17) “Pray without ceasing.”  This verse proves that one should walk and talk with the Lord. Talking with the Lord constantly as we move throughout our day gives us the consciousness of being in His presence always. We should find we sin less against Him, for we are conscience that moment of our thoughts and actions before Him.

(1Th 5:16)  “Rejoice evermore.”  One seldom hears outside of church, Believers rejoicing, giving the Lord praise or thanks. Why is that? Is it because we are so focused on the world and our activity that we forget our God? The Bible says, “Thou shalt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee”. God help us to keep our focus on things above and before a world of lost give glory to God! Rejoice!  

(1Th 5:15) “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”   Of course, when it says “follow that which is good”, it is referring to “in the sight of God”. I ask, “How can we know what is good if we have not read all the Bible? It is there God reveals how He sees right and wrong.” People think they can trust their heart to tell them what is “good”; or their conscience. No. The heart is so deceitful that only God knows it and the conscience is defiled by sin. First, be saved, born spiritually from above. Second, read the Bible.

 (1Th 5:15) “See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.”  The saved are to behave themselves as the Lord Jesus would, as Romans puts it, “ But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ…..” (Rom 13:14 ). We are to put ourselves aside and react to people as the Lord would react. No easy but possible through humility before Him and asking that the Spirit of God give you the ability. We often think of “I can do all things through Christ” as over problems, but it includes living as He would have us to live. 

(1Th 5:14) “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”   “Be patient towards all men”. It can be easy to lose patience towards those who are belligerent to the gospel. These are often haughty. Being patient does not mean do not be bold in standing for the gospel. One can strongly stand for the truth and do it with a godly attitude. Meekness does not weakness. In this case humility working with patience would mean remembering we were once lost without hope. It is remembering their soul is worth your patience. Even a proper rebuke can be done with the right attitude.