June 27 – The Importance of Discernment

 

1 Thessalonians 5:21

“Test everything. Hold on to what is good.”

SITREP:

When you hear something that sounds spiritual, do you automatically trust it? Or do you check your sources before you act? The battlefield of faith is full of misinformation, misdirection, and emotional traps dressed up as truth. Paul gives us two short commands in this verse—test everything and hold on to the good. Simple orders. But they’re vital for spiritual survival. Just like in combat, the cost of trusting the wrong intel can be devastating. God wants you sharp, grounded, and ready.

Paul’s words here are part of a rapid-fire conclusion to his first letter to the Thessalonian church. These believers were young in the faith, surrounded by spiritual noise—some true, some dangerously off. Rather than telling them to shut it all out, Paul equips them to engage wisely. He doesn’t say avoid everything—he says test it. Not with your gut. With God’s Word.

In that time, there were prophets, teachers, and all kinds of spiritual voices vying for attention. Same as now. Paul wanted this church to grow in discernment, not just enthusiasm. This verse is a soldier’s tool—short, direct, and built for action.

Breaking Down the Verse:

“Test everything…”
– This is spiritual due diligence. Whether it’s a teaching, a door that opened, or a gut feeling—don’t accept it blindly. Line it up with Scripture. If it doesn’t hold, let it go.

“…Hold on to what is good.”
– Once you find the truth, cling to it. Grip it like your lifeline. Don’t trade what’s proven for something flashy. The world will try to sell you comfort, shortcuts, and half-truths. Drop them. Grip what God calls good.

How This Trains a Combat Veteran’s Faith:

In war, you don’t move without verifying your map, orders, and team. Mistakes cost lives. Spiritually, you’re still on a battlefield—and misinformation is just as lethal.

You’ve learned to assess threats, spot false signals, and check your six. Apply that to your walk with Christ.

Don’t get lured by “feel-good” faith or emotional highs that have no biblical roots.

Be skeptical of what’s too easy, too perfect, or too popular. God’s truth isn’t always trendy—but it is always solid.

You’ve got tools—Scripture, prayer, wise counsel. Use them. Don’t operate blind. And when God shows you something good—truth, righteousness, purpose, peace—don’t just admire it. Grab it. Make it part of your loadout.

ENDEX:

This verse isn’t just a spiritual checklist—it’s a combat command. In a world where lies are dressed like truth, 1 Thessalonians 5:21 reminds you to test your gear before the firefight. Don’t move on emotion alone. Confirm your target. Verify the source. Lock onto what’s true—and let it lead you through the smoke.

AAR:

When you’re hit with new ideas, opinions, or spiritual claims, do you just take them at face value—or do you test them like your life depends on it? 1 Thessalonians 5:21 challenges you to “test everything; hold on to what is good.” That’s not passive advice—it’s an order to stay sharp. So here’s the question: are you running what you hear through the filter of God’s truth, or are you letting emotions and appearances call the shots? You’ve been trained to verify intelligence before acting. Spiritually, it’s the same. Test the input. Confirm the source. Hold the line.

Keeping Your Discernment Weaponized and Ready

You’ve operated in environments where acting on bad intel could cost lives. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 hits that same nerve—it tells you to vet everything that comes across your spiritual radar. For the combat veteran, this verse reframes discernment as a standing order. You're not called to be suspicious of everything, but you are commanded to be careful. Some things sound good, feel right, and even look biblical—but if they don’t pass the test of Scripture, you let them go. And when something proves solid? You grip it like your life depends on it. In a world full of spiritual counterfeits, God’s Word is your verifier, your litmus test, your rules of engagement. So don’t just take orders from anything with a cross on it—check the source, verify the mission, and stand firm in what’s proven good. That’s how warriors stay upright in a world full of shifting ground.

Make your voice count—share what you’ve lived.

Share your experiences in the comments below. Your words could encourage someone else walking a similar path.

If you're comfortable, include as much or as little personal detail as you’d like. We suggest:

• Name
• Veteran, Retired, Family Member etc.
• Service Branch
• Years of Service (or Deployment Dates and Locations)

Every story matters—and yours might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.