“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

 

“Test all things; hold fast what is good.” (1 Thess. 5:21, NKJV)

Exercise can be exhilarating and infuriating. Exhilarating in that it feels good to get the blood flowing, the muscles working, and the joints flexing. Exercise can sharpen mental acuity and enhance overall feelings of well being. But it can also be infuriating in that when we miss a week or two because of time away, any gains made can seem to vanish, particularly as we age.

As Christians, however, we are called to constantly exercise our faith, something we do when we handle trials or run the race set before us. Though it seems we experience setbacks when we fall back into sin, we are to continue to press on with our eyes fixed on Jesus.

One aspect of our spiritual fitness has to do with our spiritual intake. We are to partake of a steady diet of truth, unadulterated with the additives and fillers of worldly wisdom. Reading and feeding on God’s Word is a primary way we commune with our Lord Jesus Christ and receive grace and guidance for the conduct of our lives.

The Thessalonians were confused and dispirited. Paul has written to them to encourage them in the faith and to establish them on the solid ground of God’s truth. In so doing, he has satisfied their longing and buttressed their hope.

Now as he closes his letter, the apostle positions them to drink of the refreshing waters of God’s grace and truth. He leads them to that fountain with four exhortations.

First, he says, “Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thess. 5:19). Imagine unrolling a garden hose and turning on the outside spigot so that the water flows. What would happen if you took that hose in both hands and bent it? Either the water flow would stop or be reduced to a trickle.

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