Happy Wednesday! It’s November 29, 2023. I can’t believe we’re almost into December! Today’s lesson is one of discernment and balance. Instead of knee-jerking, we might need to do more knee-bending and head-bowing as we learn to respond to the Spirit rather than react to the world. Read on …
Today's Reading:
1 Thessalonians 4,5; 2 Thessalonians 1,2,3
Scripture
“Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise prophetic utterings. But examine everything carefully, hold fast to that which is good and abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-21)
Observation
In these last days, we need the moving of the Spirit, prophecy, and miracles more than ever. Yet, in these end times, Paul the Apostle warns us that we will witness an increase in false signs, false prophecies, and false miracles.
“The one who is coming is in accord with the activity of Satan with all power and signs and false wonders” (2 Thess. 2:9). This is why Paul tells the Thessalonians to examine everything carefully—hold fast to what is good and toss the rest! And although everything must be carefully examined, he instructs us not to throw everything out for fear of retaining something bad! We cannot deny it all because of errors. Instead, we are to examine the error, prove it false, discard it… then press forward without losing what is good!
We will always find errors in the Church, especially in leadership, because churches are led by fallen humanity! But if we are not careful, we can tend to get hardened and leave our first love. It happened with the church at Ephesus: “I know… that you cannot endure evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false… but I have this against you—you have left your first love” (Rev. 2:2) Did they get hardened toward all apostles because of a few false ones? We can do the same.
Application
I pray that God moves in miracles in our midst. I pray for healing. I pray for the sick to be made whole, and I am believing for signs and wonders. However, at the same time, we will not set ourselves up for any self-proclaimed prophets who love to make the right religious noises in order to be noticed. I will examine everything carefully, including my own heart. We will prune out the bad, but we will welcome the Spirit of God as He shows us how to embrace what is good.
Prayer
Thank You, Holy Spirit. Your presence is greatly appreciated in our church, and I welcome Your movement among us. Grant me wisdom to carefully examine everything without becoming a skeptic, and to test those who claim to be prophets without growing hardened. In Jesus’ name, amen!
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