Scripture to Read: 1 Thessalonians 3:5
Today we learn that God had led Paul to tell the believers in Thessalonica that he had gotten to the point that he could endure the waiting no longer. We read earlier this week that Satan had hindered Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy from all getting a chance to travel back to Thessalonica to check on all of the believers living there. Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy wanted to know how the believers in Thessalonica were doing because those believers were going through persecution. We know that Paul and Silvanus had decided to stay in Athens, but they sent Timothy back to Thessalonica to encourage and strengthen the believers there. What Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy were fearful of, as we read today in 1 Thessalonians 3:5, is that the tempter might have tempted the believers in Thessalonica to abandon their faith in Christ. If the believers turned away from their walk with Christ because of the persecution, then Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy’s labor would have been in vain. This does not mean that the believers could lose their salvation. Still, if those believers in Thessalonica began to turn back to the ways of this world, it would have had major repercussions on all the people in Thessalonica. We also must realize that our life choices either build up the body of Christ or our choices bring problems to the body of Christ. We must guard ourselves daily from the tempter, who tries to get us to settle for what this world offers. Remember, nothing in this life will last.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about daily walking with Him and not giving in to the tempter?
2. Who needs this word of encouragement this week and when will you share this with them
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!