September 17 2026

September 17 Thursday

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

Test Everything, Hold Fast to What Is Good

Welcome to Pastor’s Chat. Today we come to four short instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5 that are especially important in a time when we are constantly surrounded by competing voices and spiritual claims. Paul writes: “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”

First Paul says: “Do not quench the Spirit.” The word “quench” is normally used of putting out a fire. The Holy Spirit is often pictured in Scripture in connection with fire. Paul is saying, “Do not resist or suppress the work of God's Spirit in your life.” How can we quench the Spirit? We can ignore His conviction. We can knowingly hold on to sin. We can refuse to obey something God has clearly shown us in His Word. We can become spiritually cold and indifferent. The Holy Spirit desires to work in us and through us. Paul tells us: Don't put out the fire.

Then he says: “Do not despise prophecies.” In the early church, before the New Testament Scriptures were completed, God used prophetic utterances in a special way to communicate His truth. But Paul immediately gives an important balance. Verse 21 says: “Test all things.” In other words: Don't believe everything simply because someone claims it came from God. That is tremendously important today. Just because someone says: “God told me…” does not automatically make their words true. Just because a preacher says something with confidence does not mean it is biblical. Just because something appears on the Internet, television, or social media doesn't mean we should accept it. Paul says: “Test all things.”

What is our test? The Word of God. The Bereans in Acts 17 were commended because they received Paul's teaching eagerly but then: “Searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” Think about that. They even checked the teaching of the apostle Paul against the Scriptures! That is a wonderful example for us. Don't simply ask: “Does this sound good?” Ask: “Is it biblical?” Don't ask only: “Is this preacher popular?” Ask: “Is what he is saying consistent with God's Word?” Don't accept a teaching merely because it makes you feel good. Test it by Scripture.

Then Paul says: “Hold fast what is good.” Once something has been tested and found true, don't let it go. There are some truths we should hold with a firm grip. Jesus Christ is the Son of God. He died for our sins. He rose bodily from the grave. Salvation is by grace through faith. The Bible is God's Word. Jesus is coming again. Hold fast. Our culture changes rapidly. God's truth does not.

Then verse 22 says: “Abstain from every form of evil.” The Christian life involves both holding on and letting go. Hold fast to what is good. Stay away from what is evil. Sometimes we ask, “How close can I get to something sinful without actually crossing the line?” That is the wrong question. Paul says: “Abstain.” Move away from evil. Joseph demonstrated that in Genesis 39 when Potiphar's wife tempted him. He didn't stay there and discuss the situation. He fled. Second Timothy 2:22 says: “Flee also youthful lusts.” There are times when the most spiritual thing we can do is simply get away from the temptation.

These four instructions give us a wonderful pattern for spiritual discernment: Don't resist the Holy Spirit. Don't reject truth merely because it challenges you. Test everything by God's Word. Hold tightly to what is good and stay away from what is evil. We desperately need that kind of discernment today.

Let's pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit and Your Word. Help us not to resist or quench the work of Your Spirit in our hearts. Give us discernment so that we do not believe every spiritual claim we hear. Teach us to test everything by the truth of Scripture. Help us hold fast to what is good and faithfully reject every form of evil. In a world filled with confusion and competing voices, keep our hearts and minds anchored firmly in Your truth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

God bless, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day!