We’ve been told what we are to do as a church with our pastors and leaders (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13), now Paul turns to what we are to do with our brothers and sisters. 

 ¹⁴ We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. ¹⁵ See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 1 Thessalonians 5: 14

This is not the pastor’s job but ours. We “brethren” are responsible for keeping the unruly (undisciplined) in line. This is not done by berating or belittling, but by cajoling with the Word of God. And let’s not envision someone wildly out of control, but those ever slightly off course.

First, understand that admonishing is a two-way street. Colossians 3:16 tells us we are  to admonish one another. We’re all guilty of some aspect of our life that can use some work. Done right, the body corrects itself with gentle godly reminders and conversations. The same approach works when we encourage and help the fainthearted and weak. Enhanced and directed by the Holy Spirit, this correction process is a beautiful thing, and it executed with patience!

¹⁵ See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Another aspect of the body “policing” itself is how adamant we need to be that vengeance remains in the Lord’s domain. We need to be always suggesting taking the high road. 

 ¹⁶ Rejoice always; ¹⁷ pray without ceasing; ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit; ²⁰ do not despise prophetic utterances.²¹  But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; ²² abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:15-22

Now Paul draws our attention to what we are to do with our Father.

A relationship with God our Father transforms us into a Spirit-filled dynamo! When others are distraught, we rejoice. When others anxiously grope for a way out, we pray. When life deals us a bad hand, we give thanks. Why? This is God’s perfect will for us.

What we don’t do is quench the Spirit. We allow him to flourish within us. We don’t look upon prophecy with disdain. We watch for its fulfillment. In the mean time, we learn from past prophetic utterances that have come true, and by all means, we love the Lord’s appearing! (2 Timothy 4:8)

Finally, we should be a discerning people. Like the Bereans (Acts 17:11), we adjudicate every thought for the presence of good and evil. If true, we cling to it. If evil, we abstain from it.