What does it mean to "hold fast to what is good"? Setting the Scene • 1 Thessalonians 5 walks us through a rapid-fire list of closing commands—rejoice, pray, give thanks, do not quench the Spirit, and then: “but test all things. Hold fast to what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). • “Hold fast” is paired with “test all things,” showing the order: discern first, then grip what passes the test. Word Study: “Hold Fast” • Greek: katechō—“to seize, keep firm control, restrain from slipping away.” • Picture a sailor clinging to the rigging in a storm; the grip is intentional, forceful, ongoing. • Scripture uses the same verb for holding the traditions (2 Thessalonians 2:15) and the word of the gospel (1 Colossians 15:2). Why Must We Test First? • 1 John 4:1—“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” • Acts 17:11—the Bereans are commended because they “examined the Scriptures daily.” • Without testing, we may clasp counterfeit “good” and loosen our grip on the genuine. What Qualifies as Good? • God alone defines goodness. Psalm 119:68—“You are good, and You do what is good.” • Romans 12:9—“Detest what is evil; cling to what is good.” The good is whatever aligns with God’s character and commands. • Philippians 4:8 catalogues it: true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, praiseworthy. Practical Ways to Hold Fast 1. Fasten to Scripture – Memorize key passages (Psalm 119:11). – Meditate day and night (Joshua 1:8). 2. Fasten to Sound Teaching – Sit under expositional preaching (2 Timothy 4:2-3). – Compare every new idea with the whole counsel of God. 3. Fasten to God’s People – “Encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 3:13). – Small-group accountability keeps fingers tight on the rope. 4. Fasten in Prayer – Ask the Spirit to “guide you into all truth” (John 16:13). – Pray Psalm 119:31, “I cling to Your testimonies.” 5. Fasten by Obedience – Doing the Word reinforces believing it (James 1:22-25). – Each act of obedience drives another nail into the grip. Living Illustrations of Holding Fast • Joseph resisted Potiphar’s wife, valuing God’s standard of purity above a career shortcut (Genesis 39). • Daniel kept praying when the decree forbade it, preferring lion’s-den danger over loosening his hold on godliness (Daniel 6). • The Thessalonians themselves “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9): a community-wide grip on the good. Cautions: What Weakens the Grip? • Drift—neglect of Scripture and fellowship (Hebrews 2:1). • Compromise—small concessions that erode conviction (1 Colossians 15:33). • Doubt—allowing feelings to outrank God’s Word (James 1:6-8). • Distraction—good activities that crowd out the best (Luke 10:40-42). Encouraging Promise • We are not clinging alone: “Let us hold resolutely to the hope we confess, for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). • The God who calls us to grip the good supplies the strength to keep holding on (Philippians 2:13). |
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