Do not put out the Spirit's fire.
Don't allow your complaints and earthly perspective to
smother or snuff out
the delicate, yet powerful work of God.
Do not treat prophesies with contempt.
Don't despise, or disgrace
or deem worthless
those messages from the Lord.
"A prophet is not honored in his own land"
Test everything.
But don't be naive.
Try to prove everything you hear - according to the Bible.
Examine it to determine its validity.
Hold on to the good.
"Eat the meat and toss the bones."
Look for the good and you will find it.
Grasp the helpful and persist in encouragement.
Avoid every kind of evil.
Keep away from...
Steer clear of everything that is not of God.
Evil has many obvious forms:
sexual immorality
impurity & debauchery
(contamination & excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures...
seduction from virtue or duty)
idolatry & witchcraft
(excessive or blind adoration and devotion)
(enthralled by the art and practice of magic)
hatred
"anyone who hates his brother is a murderer"
discord
(disagreements, quarrels, conflict)
jealousy
(mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of rivalry)
fits of rage
(wrath, frenzy, madness)
selfish ambition
(seeking your own preferences in earnest)
dissensions & factions
(small groups of strife-stirring souls)
envy
(distracted by the longing for someone else's achievements and circumstance)
drunkeness & orgies
(unbridled indulgence of dancing, singing & drinking)
"Flee from every appearance of evil."
"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Do not put out the fire of the Spirit.
