Open your Bible and read 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
“but test everything; hold fast what is good.”
1 Thessalonians 5:21 · ESVTwo things are true at the same time here and most people only manage one of them.
Honor the people who lead you. Paul says to respect those who labor among you and to esteem them very highly in love. Pastors carry weight you will never see. Pray for yours by name. Say thank you. Do not be the person who critiques the sermon in the parking lot every week.
And test everything. Paul wrote that to the same church in the same paragraph. You have the Holy Spirit and you have a Bible, and you are responsible for what you swallow. If something does not line up with the Word, hold onto the good and leave the rest. That is not rebellion, that is obedience.
Honor is not blind and discernment is not suspicion. Give your leaders real love and keep your own eyes open.
Do this today
Pray out loud for your pastor by name for one full minute today.
Say this out loud
“I honor the leaders God set over me, and I test everything against His Word.”