1 Thessalonians 5:11-23
11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt 21 but test them all; hold on to what is good, 22 reject every kind of evil. 23 May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
How can we apply these instructions?
Build each other up? Point out to someone a quoatliy about them you appreciate.
Acknowledge your leaders? Look for ways to cooperate with those in authority
Hold leaders in high regard? Hold back from making critical comments about those in positions of responsibility, instead thank them for their efforts.
Live in Peace? Search for ways to get along with others
Warn the idle? Challenge someone to join you on a project you are working on, or help you provide a service to others
Encourage the disheartened? Remind those disheartened of God's promises.
Help the Weak? Love and Pray for them
Be patient? Plan for situations ahead of time that try your patience
Resist revenge? Instead of planning to get even in the midst of turmoil, remember God is in control
Rejoice Always? God is always with you, talk to him
Pray continually? Pray throughout the day
Give Thanks? Make a list of all of your blessings
Do not quench the Spirit? Cooperate with the Spirit next time he prompts you to participate in a Christian meeting
Do not treat prophecies with contempt? Receive God's Word from those who speak for him
Reject every kind of evil? Avoid situations where you will be drawn to temptation
Coun on God's constant help? Realizt that the Christian life is to be lived not in our own strentgh but through God's power
(Courtesy of My NIV Study Bible)
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