5 Rapid-Fired Commands for Holy Living

Holy Living
​from 1 Thessalonians 5
(Part 2)

Here we are back in 1 Thessalonians 5 with the Apostle Paul looking at these commands for holy living in the lives of believers. Remember, Paul is addressing the church at Thessalonica and helping them to know how to relate to other believers with these short commands. The first three we looked at last month (3 Rapid-Fired Commands for Holy Living​) were found in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, where Paul speaks specifically to some personal commands:

1. “Rejoice evermore.”
2. “Pray without ceasing.”
3. “In every thing give thanks…”

Then he closed this section with the reminder that rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks are all part of God’s will for every believer’s life! This month, I want to share some corporate commands Paul gives to the church, some negative and some positive. Then we will finish by looking at the divine enablement for carrying out all these commands. Let’s dive in!

​Paul begins with two negative commands that seem to go hand in hand as well:

1. “Quench not the Spirit.” (v. 19)
   Without going into a doctrinal explanation of living in the Spirit, let me just say that clearly the relationship between the Holy Spirit and the believer is meant to be one of communion. The Spirit is our Advocate, but the Bible often compares the Holy Spirit to a flame (Isaiah 4:4; Matthew 3:11; Acts 2:3-4). One commentator described the Spirit’s work in us in this way: “He warms the heart, enlightens the mind, and empowers people’s spirits.” This working of the Spirit is what Paul is warning against here. Don’t allow yourself to do anything that would put out that flame in your heart or in the church as a whole. The church is made up of believers who ought to be Spirit-filled. When believers allow the Spirit to be quenched in their lives, the effectiveness of the church wanes like a candle that is being blown out. There are other passages that speak of the Spirit’s work being diminished or snuffed out when He is resisted or opposed in the lives of believers. This is a caution that every believer as part of the corporate body of Christ must take very seriously.
   
   
2. “Despise not prophesyings.” (v. 20)
   Paul was again warning the believers here that they were to take heed to the prophecy that was given to them in the church. Now, this book was written before the canon of Scripture was completed. It is probable that there were some people who were adding their own ideas to the prophecy, and Paul was warning them against that as well. But for believers today, this warning is to remember the importance of Scripture as it has been preserved for us today. We are to revere God’s Word as His love letter to the church and really to the whole world. His Word shines the light on eternal life and the only way to it through His Son Jesus Christ. Yes, there are some great things that can help us study God’s Word and understand it better today, but none of those writings should ever be placed above God’s Word in their importance.

Now, Paul moves to three positive commands:

1. “Prove all things…” (v. 21a)
   Considering the previous command, every believer is now commanded to put to the test or scrutinize everything she hears and reads in relation to God’s Word. John warns of the spirits that have gone out into the world to deceive us in 1 John 1:4. We are to try those things. It is easy in this day and time to just believe everything we hear or read about God’s Word. “I found it on the internet, so it must be true!” – I have heard people say this about many things, including the explanation of Scripture. Friend, please take Paul’s warning to heart here. Prove ALL things! I am a reader and a lover of research, especially when it comes to God’s Word, but we must allow the Spirit of God to witness with our spirit and practice discernment about what we read in commentary regarding God’s Word. As you read and study, ask the Holy Spirit to give you discernment to recognize error as well as truth in what you read regarding God’s Word and His principles. There are some great things out there to learn from, but take Paul’s admonition to heart! Put them all to the test of God’s Word!
   
   
2. “…Hold fast that which is good.” (v. 21b)
   Once we have proven that the teaching we read or hear is good and that it is in line with the teaching of Scripture, then we are to “hold fast” to that truth in our lives. That idea of “hold fast” reminds me of the grip of the child to his mother’s leg when he is unsure of the situation. There is not much that can get a slightly frightened child to let go of his mother in that moment. In the same manner, we must hold tightly to the truth of God’s Word, implementing it into our lives.
   
   
3. “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (vs. 22)
   ​Now, Paul takes his admonition a bit further by warning believers to stay away not only from the false teaching but also to stay away from anything that even slightly resembles that evil. Over the years of my ministry with teenagers, I have often counseled them using this verse. Sometimes we like to see how close we can get to the evil without letting it corrupt us. But what Paul is teaching here is to stay as far away as possible, and in doing so, we can remain pure even in the appearances of our actions. The truth is, I will have a much harder time falling off the cliff if I stay far away from the edge. I don’t see any legalism here in Paul’s command. Instead, I see a pastor’s heart telling the people in that church to do everything they can to protect their reputation and testimony in an incredibly wicked world.

So, Paul has addressed in this passage some personal commands and some corporate commands. When we come to the end of this list of commands, it can be a bit daunting to consider all that Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is asking of these believers, and in turn, what is being asked of us. How are we supposed to do all these things? Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 with me. Paul prays for the believers and shares some powerful truths about the divine enablement for these tasks.
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (vs. 23)

Paul has set fairly high standards here with all these commands. We are encouraged here with his reminding us that God is the Producer of peace. Paul prays for the believers to be sanctified completely - this is not perfect sanctification, as we won’t see that until we get to Heaven, but he prays that we would be set apart to His service and work. He goes on to pray that the believers would be blameless, with no grounds for accusation, until the day that the Lord would come back for us. What an encouragement to know that we are not alone in completing these tasks.

For sure, this is still a high standard to follow, but Paul finishes this section of the chapter with the following encouragement in 1 Thessalonians 5:24. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”

This is the verse that the Lord used to call me to England specifically. No matter what He calls me to do – including following these mandates we have studied in this chapter – He will empower me and you, my friend, to complete that which He calls us to do. What a comfort to know that I have the ever-faithful God walking with me and fighting for me! How can we live holy lives in this very unholy world? Walk with the ever-faithful God! He will empower you to do ALL that He calls you to do.

Looking at this passage in relation to what God has done in my life, especially since going to England as a missionary about eight years ago, I can say that I am thankful for God’s Word that gives such practical principles that help me to live a holy life before God. I am thankful even more so that I don’t have to live that life on my own because my ever-faithful God promises to complete in me what He started. I’m thankful that God continues to be faithful in all areas of my life.

God wants to show Himself in this way to you also. You might be thinking that you’re not a missionary, but that is not the qualification to walk with an ever-faithful God and live that holy life before Him. If God has saved you by His grace, His Spirit indwells you and is continuing to complete that work of sanctifying grace in your life (Philippians 1:6). If you have trusted Him for your salvation, why not trust Him to help you walk this journey of sanctification and holy living as well (Gal. 3:3)!

Which of Paul’s commands in 1 Thessalonians 5 do you find most challenging to live out—and how might trusting in God’s faithfulness help you obey it more fully?