Lesson 23: Don't Quench The Spirit . . ." - Part 2 (series: Lessons on 1 Thessalonians)

by John Lowe
(Woodruff, S.C.)

(5:22) reject every kind of evil.

The devil tempts us through three avenues.
1) the lust of the flesh;
2) the lust of the eye;
3) the pride of life.

What does Paul say about this? His advice is, “Reject every kind of evil.” Through these avenues Satan tempts, draws souls away from God, and damns them. It was through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye and the pride of life that Jesus was tempted. A personal devil met a personal Christ―but Jesus did not succumb to temptation. Eve fell, Adam fell, David fell, and others have fallen―but not Jesus.

You may ask, “Preacher, is this thing wrong? I ask you, “Is it evil from the standpoint of stirring the emotions of lust, the desires of the flesh and of the world?” No Christian should look at anything, go anywhere, and keep company with anyone that will bring about a tendency to desire evil. If we would be victorious, if we would receive a full reward, and enjoy our spiritual birthright, we must “reject every kind of evil.” A person who does this, along with other things we have mentioned thus far, will never backslide.


Special notes and Scripture
a The influence of the Spirit is represented under the emblem of fire. Fire purifies the gold of its dross.
b Prophets were held in high honor, and we find them mentioned along with apostles several times (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph 2:20; 3:5).