Contemplative Bible Reading

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 (New Living Translation)

19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. 20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.

This is excellent advice for just about anything. Here is an idea. Is it good? Let’s test it. If it works, keep it. If not, don’t use it.

Here is LSD—a strong hallucinogen. Is it good? Let’s test it. WHOA, WAIT A MINUTE!!!!

Okay, that was an extreme example. (Some folks don’t think it was an extreme example.) That extreme example may help us to set some boundaries on things.

Notice three key little words in the second sentence, “that is said.” Test everything that is said. It doesn’t say, “test everything that anyone puts in your hand.” There is a difference. The difference is small, but it is significant.

This is delicate. It is a balancing act like walking on the top strand of a barbed wire fence (not recommended). How can I test something without being polluted by it? If my proposed test will “get me a little too dirty,” I should propose another test.

Still—test and do not stifle.