◄ What Does 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Mean? ►

In his final greeting to the Church at Thessalonica, Paul gives various warnings and exhortations to the Body of Christ on how to live a godly life that is worthy of our position in Christ. Here we are called to: "Test all things, examine everything carefully, and to hold fast that which is good, genuine, and true." In order to do so we need to be like the Berean believers who searched the Scriptures daily to see if the things they were being taught in their churches and assemblies were true to Scripture, or if there was a distortion of biblical truth or a watering down of God's Word of grace.

God has set clear biblical standards for the normal Christian life, as outlined in the Church epistles and which are founded on the teachings of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself being the foundation stone. The single and unique standard by which we are to test all things is the Word of God.

Let us read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest God's Word, and study to show ourselves approved, rightly dividing the Word of truth. Let us remember that the Word of God is alive and powerful and sharper than a razor-sharpened two-edged sword, which is able to pierce between the soul and the spirit, and can slice between joint and marrow.

God's Word exposes the innermost thoughts of our hearts and can judge our very motives and secret desires. May we make it a priority to test all things, to hold fast that which is good, and may we do so in godly love and in humble submission to the Holy Spirit.

Heavenly Father, instil in me a desire to know You more and to study Your Word diligently and prayerfully so that I may be approved unto God. Help me to examine all things carefully and to hold fast to all that is good, genuine, and true, as outlined in Your Word of grace. In Jesus' name I pray, AMEN.