TEXT: 1 THESSALONIANS 5:21–22 NKJV
[21] Test all things; hold fast to what is good.[22] Abstain from every form of evil.
Discussion
I hope you have been able to set aside time from your 24-hour day for your hour of prayer, as encouraged in yesterday’s devotional. Today’s devotional focuses on our spiritual maturity and sensitivity.
The Apostle Paul admonished the church in Thessalonica to abstain from every form of evil and hold fast to what is good. This means there are some things that appear good but are not actually good. They may be close to the truth, yet they are still not the truth.
The only way to know the difference is by testing them. As believers, we encounter many doctrines that closely resemble the truth. The only way to discern error is by examining them through the Scriptures and by the leading of the Holy Spirit.
Many believers have fallen victim to doctrinal errors because they have failed to follow this instruction from the Apostle Paul.
Signs and wonders do not automatically mean something is from God. Likewise, widespread acceptance does not mean God is involved, and outstanding results alone do not prove that God is at work. As believers, we are commanded to test all things. This means we must go beyond merely hearing sermons or reading spiritual messages and materials. We must also discern the spirit behind the source. This is one of the most important responsibilities of every believer.
The Apostle Paul further instructed that once you have discerned the spirit behind a message, if it is not from the only true God, you must abstain from it. Do not try to manage or tolerate such influences; run from them for your spiritual safety.
Never entertain, even for a moment, any doctrine that appears to be leading you toward God but is, in reality, drawing you away from Him.
In reality, we do not owe anyone an explanation for the steps we take to protect and preserve our spiritual lives, whether others approve of them or not. However, we owe God an account of how we steward our spiritual lives. Therefore, let us walk carefully, beloved.
May the Lord help us all, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Declarations:
I shall test every spirit and hold fast to what is good. I shall abstain from every form and appearance of evil, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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