As we continue to look at Paul’s final exhortations to the saints at Thessalonica, let us keep in mind that he was writing during the time of miraculous gifts.  Because of this, his exhortation does not mean exactly the same thing to us today as it did to the saints at Thessalonica, though we can still benefit from the teaching.

Prophecies in the New Testament referred to direct revelations from God.  The first-century Christians needed direct revelation because the written Word had not yet been completed.  The problem was that some were despising prophecy.  The word “despise” meant to treat something as if it were nothing.  Many scholars believe the saints at Thessalonica were so worried about false prophets that they did not allow prophecy at all.  If such were the case, they would have been doing the opposite of the brethren at Corinth.  Whereas the brethren at Corinth gave too much importance to some gifts, the Thessalonians were not giving prophecy enough.

Today, we no longer need the gift of prophecy.  Paul said, “As for prophecies, they will pass away” (1 Corinthians 13:8).  When would the gift of prophecy pass away?  We do not have to guess because Paul tells us.  It would pass away at the same time that all the gifts would, that is, “when the perfect comes” (ver. 10).  The “perfect” Paul was referring to is the complete Word of God (James 1:25).

Now that we have access to the complete Word of God, we no longer need spiritual gifts.  How, then, can we make an application of Paul’s exhortation?  This teaching from Paul is still very useful to us.  While we no longer have prophets, we do have inspired writings in the Bible and preachers who preach them.  The Word that is preached today should never be treated as if it was nothing.  If preachers are truly preaching from the Bible, then they are preaching God’s Word, and it should be received accordingly.

One way we can despise the preaching of God’s Word is by not listening carefully when it is delivered to us, making sure that the preacher is only preaching the Word of God.  

1 John 4:1 (ESV)
¹  Beloved, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.

When we do not test the teachings of those who preach and teach the gospel to us, we are taking God’s Word too lightly.  We all have the responsibility to make sure that only the truth is being taught in our churches.

Another way to despise God’s Word is by rejecting simple truth.  We are impressed by the three thousand souls who gladly received the Word of God on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:41), but there were more than a million people in Jerusalem on that day.  We cannot be sure how many of them heard the Word preached at that time, but it is clear that many, perhaps thousands, despised the truth by rejecting it.

Let’s be careful never to reject, neglect, or take for granted God’s Word.  The Psalmist once said, “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103).  We should all feel the same way.     

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.