1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 | Live Now/Live Now
Living in the Moment: How to Establish Holy Instructions for a Broken World
In a world filled with distractions and challenges, how do we live authentically as Christians? The apostle Paul's instructions to the Thessalonian church provide timely guidance for believers today who want to operate uniquely in a broken world.
What Does It Mean to "Live Now"?
Paul's instructions in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22 weren't just ancient wisdom—they were real-time guidance for a church experiencing persecution and confusion. These believers had seen Paul forced to leave their city after opponents claimed he and his companions were "turning the world upside down" (Acts 17:6).
In this context, Paul's instructions take on special significance. He wasn't offering abstract theology but practical guidance for living faithfully in difficult circumstances. His message can be summarized as "Live now"—be present, intentional, and faithful in every moment.
What Are Paul's "Always" Instructions for Believers?
Always Rejoice
Paul's first instruction is to "rejoice always" (v.16). This command appears throughout Scripture—the words joy, joyful, and rejoice collectively appear 430 times in the ESV Bible.
But how can we rejoice when suffering? James 1:2-4 tells us to "count it all joy" when facing trials because they produce steadfastness. Rejoicing isn't about feeling happy in difficult circumstances; it's about recognizing God's presence and work even in painful situations.
When we're separated from loved ones or facing hardship, rejoicing means trusting that God is working through our circumstances. There's an "unspeakable closeness" with the Lord when we call upon Him and rejoice in His guidance, even when it hurts.
Always Pray
Paul's second instruction is to "pray without ceasing" (v.17). This doesn't mean constantly speaking prayers aloud but maintaining an attitude of ongoing communication with God.
Prayer is more than reciting words out of obligation—it's invoking God's transformative power. It's an act of obedience that keeps our hearts aligned with the Spirit. Romans 12:12 identifies being "constant in prayer" as a mark of true Christians.
Even Jesus, the Son of God, consistently made time to pray to His Father. His example shows us the importance of maintaining this vital connection.
Always Give Thanks
The third "always" instruction is to "give thanks in all circumstances" (v.18). Paul adds that "this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
For Jewish believers, giving thanks wasn't new—Jewish tradition encouraged 100 blessings daily. But Paul shifts the focus to giving thanks "in Christ Jesus," making Jesus central to our gratitude.
Jesus Himself modeled thanksgiving in key moments:
Before feeding the 5,000 (John 6:11)
Before raising Lazarus (John 11:41-42)
During the Last Supper (Luke 22:17-19)
Giving thanks produces:
Humility (recognizing God's work, not our own)
Contentment (resting in God's perfect work)
Optimism (anticipating more joy in God's future works)
What Are Paul's "Don't" Instructions for Believers?
Don't Quench the Spirit
Paul warns against "quenching the Spirit" (v.19). The word "quench" can mean satisfying thirst or extinguishing a flame—both meanings are relevant.
Throughout Scripture, the Spirit is connected to water imagery:
Jesus calls the Spirit "living water" (John 4:10)
God promises to "pour water on the thirsty land" and "pour my Spirit upon your offspring" (Isaiah 44:3)
The Spirit hovered "over the face of the waters" at creation (Genesis 1:2)
Theologian John Piper defines quenching the Spirit as "despising the supernatural work of the Spirit and treating it with contempt." Paul urges believers not to stifle God's work by damming up their access to this living water.
Don't Despise Prophecy
Paul instructs believers not to "despise prophecies" (v.20). The Thessalonian church had begun rejecting all prophecy because false prophets had infiltrated their community.
This is like "throwing the baby out with the bathwater"—discarding something valuable (authentic prophecy) along with something harmful (false prophecy). Instead, Paul encourages testing prophecies against God's word, keeping what's good and rejecting what's harmful.
Don't Partake in Any Form of Evil
Paul's final instruction is to "abstain from every form of evil" (v.22). As a new church with many new believers, the Thessalonians needed this reminder not to return to old patterns and habits.
Through the Spirit, believers can discern evil, hold each other accountable, and resist temptation. This reinforces Paul's teaching that in Christ, we are "new creations" (2 Corinthians 5:17).
How Can We Apply These Instructions Today?
Paul's instructions from 51 AD remain relevant for believers in 2023. Here are practical ways to apply them:
Find ways to rejoice:
Play worship music and rejoice through song
Set aside time daily to read God's Word
Celebrate the truth of the Gospel
Approach prayer like a conversation with a close friend:
Stay in constant communication with God
Pray specifically for family, broken relationships, and your city
Cultivate gratitude:
Verbally thank God for small blessing.
Keep a daily gratitude journal
Review your list periodically to remember God's goodness
Life Application: Broadcasting the Good News
In the world of news broadcasting, producers provide vision and words for anchors to share. Jesus is the ultimate producer of the Good News, and He's looking for anchors to share it with the world.
As believers, we are "live now" with breaking news that can transform lives. People are watching how we operate in this broken world. Our challenge this week is to intentionally demonstrate these six instructions from Paul:
Always rejoice, even in difficult circumstances
Pray without ceasing, maintaining constant communication with God
Give thanks in all situations, recognizing God's work
Follow the Spirit's leading without resistance
Test and hold onto what is good
Abstain from every form of evil
Questions to consider this week:
In what areas of my life am I struggling to rejoice? How can I shift my perspective?
What prevents me from maintaining constant communication with God?
Have I been taking time to thank God for both big and small blessings?
Where might I be quenching the Spirit's work in my life?
Am I discerning about spiritual matters, or do I tend to accept or reject everything?
What forms of evil have I been tolerating that I need to abstain from?
Remember, we are "live" and the world is watching. Let's broadcast the good news through how we live each moment.