Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.
(1 Thessalonians 5:19-22, NASB)
I’ve heard sin defined as “missing the mark” or “falling short.” I’ve also heard it defined as anything that takes our focus off of God.
This world is full of things to entice us. And when we neglect to “hold fast to that which is good”—those things of God—we can easily get sucked into sin. God desires our hearts to dwell on things that are pleasing to Him. Paul wrote, “… whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you” (Phil. 4:8-9, NASB).
Practice these things.
A while ago, WWJD was a big thing. What would Jesus do? While it became almost a joke, in and outside of the Christian community, it’s still a valid question. Are we really focusing on what Jesus would do in every situation? Do we ask ourselves if God would be pleased with our thoughts or actions?
If we really sought God’s will in all things and “examine[d] everything carefully,” we might live very differently than we do.
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