How can we apply 1 Thessalonians 5:21 in evaluating modern cultural influences? Verse at a Glance “but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:21 What “Test All Things” Means • “Test” (dokimazō) pictures assaying metal—checking purity, not guessing. • Scripture calls us to weigh every idea, trend, song, show, philosophy, and habit against God’s unchanging Word. • The goal is not to condemn everything new but to identify what is “good” and cling to it. Why We Must Evaluate Culture • Culture is never neutral (Ephesians 5:15-17). • Spiritual counterfeits abound (1 John 4:1). • Minds are renewed only by truth, not by conformity (Romans 12:2). • God will hold us accountable for what we endorse and consume (2 Corinthians 5:10). Practical Steps for Testing Cultural Influences 1. Compare with Scripture – Ask: Does this align with the clear teachings of God’s Word? (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 2. Examine the fruit – Does it produce purity, peace, and righteousness—or confusion and compromise? (Matthew 7:17-18). 3. Consider the worldview – What does it say about God, humanity, sin, salvation, and eternity? (Colossians 2:8). 4. Check the company – Who creates it, and what do they celebrate? “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). 5. Seek wise counsel – In a multitude of counselors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14). 6. Pray for discernment – James 1:5 promises wisdom to those who ask in faith. Examples: Applying the Test Today • Music & Lyrics – Do the words honor God or normalize immorality? • Social Media Trends – Are they driven by vanity, envy, or edification (Philippians 4:8)? • Entertainment – Does the storyline applaud sin or highlight virtue and redemption? • Educational Content – Does it acknowledge the Creator or promote a godless narrative? • Lifestyle Fads – Are they consistent with stewardship of body and resources (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)? Tools God Has Given for Discernment • The whole counsel of Scripture—our final authority (Psalm 119:105). • The Holy Spirit—guides into all truth (John 16:13). • The local church—teaches sound doctrine (Acts 2:42). • Personal spiritual disciplines—prayer, study, meditation, obedience (Joshua 1:8). Holding Fast to the Good • When something passes the test, embrace it confidently; it becomes a gift to enjoy and a witness to others (1 Timothy 4:4-5). • When it fails, distance yourself decisively; partial compromise erodes holiness (Ephesians 5:11). • Live distinctly yet graciously, shining as lights in a warped generation (Philippians 2:15). |
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