Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5:
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
How do we warn those who are unruly? In Love, we quote the essence of appropriate Scripture. Proverbs is filled with verses of Wisdom designed to promote righteous conduct. The fainthearted need peace in their lives and we should be a light unto them and should share the source of our peace.
How do we pursue what is good for us and those around us? Jesus spoke in Matthew 11:
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
To learn means to be apprised, to increase one’s knowledge, to be increased in knowledge; to hear, be informed; to understand; to learn by use and practice (skill); to be in the habit of, accustomed to. We are to be in the habit of and accustomed to walking in the same manner as Jesus. In order to do that, we must learn from Him. This is why I keep emphasizing Jesus’ preeminence in our studies.
Jesus spoke in John chapter 14:
26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Jesus left nothing to chance when He went to the cross on our behalf. The revelation of His Love did not end there for FATHER’S plan to send us The Holy Spirit to dwell in us would continue to provide us teaching and revelation in its purest state. Our foundation of Agape Love was expressed through the Words of Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit continues to mature us in the same walk as Our Elder Brother.
Paul continues in 1 Thessalonians chapter 5:
16 Rejoice always,
17 pray without ceasing,
18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies.
21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
To quench means to check; to stifle, to restrain or hold back; as, to quench the Spirit. If we are to be led by The Holy Spirit and be taught by The Holy Spirit, we must not stifle, restrain, or quench The Holy Spirit in our lives. Paul understood this for he “prayed in Tongues more than you all”.
As our spirit man grows strong, our soul and our body also align with The Word and thus we are no longer moved by the world’s chaos. Our ministry to others is not tainted by self interest but instead, it promotes Agape Love. We are able to perfectly test all things by THE SPIRIT and hold fast to what is good. Abstaining from evil is no longer an issue at all.
23 And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through (separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God); and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete (and found) blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
First our spirit becomes sound, then our soul follows, and lastly our body becomes a complete, willing servant to our spirit. Paul provides us the proper order of our essence. Once we are found blameless, there is no defect, blemish, or anything whatsoever impairing our excellence. We will have reached full maturity in Christ.