1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 - Maintaining discernment

Scripture:

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
19 Do not quench the Spirit;
20 do not despise prophetic utterances.
21 But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good
NASU


Thoughts:

Prophecy in the traditional sense of foretelling the future is not what we generally see these days.  Yet there is still the forth-telling, or teaching, of the Bible.  Many Bible teachers recognize this as another use of the gift of prophecy.   In this use of the gift, we also need to be discerning (verse 21), using the Bible to test what we hear.

I find that the longer I listen to a particular teacher, or the closer I am relationally to them, the worse I do here!  Perhaps you have found the same.

I think what occurs is that we begin to subtly put the relationship we have with the teacher, over truth.  This is likely due to our having heard them teach rightly so often, that we then give them some slack. 

But this really isn't good.  Sadly, even the most devout teacher of the Word can fall into error over time, if led astray.  As a brother or sister, we must be discerning not only for ourselves, but for the health of our teaching brother, and the rest of his hearers.


Prayer:

Help me to be discerning, especially among the familiar and friends.  Iron cannot sharpen iron, if one is dull.  Help me to stay alert!

Amen

Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.