1 Thess 5:16-22 The Way of Happiness  CLICK TITLE FOR AUDIO

If you want true happiness as a Christian then the thing to do is to follow these simple instructions given by Paul.

Rejoice Evermore – v.16 – 1 Pet 1:8-9 through loving and believing Jesus – Jn 15:8-11 through bearing much fruit, loving God and obeying his commands – Gal 5:22-23 through being filled with the Spirit

Pray Without Ceasing – v.17 – Lk 17:1, and the words to the song, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus”

In everything give thanks – v.18 – Eph 5:20, a merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance, Prov15:13, a merry heart doeth good like a medicine, Prov17:22, he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast, Prov15:15

Quench not the Spirit – v.19 – Eph 4:30 says grieve not – there is a difference – you grieve him when you don’t follow his lead and rule in your life [like Heb 13:17] – you quench him when you quench his love [Sol 8:7] and when you quench the wrath of God and the fires of hell by watering down preaching

Despise not prophesyings – v.20 – 2 Tim 4:2-4 – don’t do as other people who grow weary of preaching – Christians today can’t take straight, hard preaching – they want to be entertained and motivated

Prove all things – v.21 –Rom. 12: 2, his will; 2 Cor. 8: 8, your love; 2 Cor. 13:5, your faith; Galatians 6:4, your work.

Abstain from all appearance of evil – v.22 – men usually judge by appearance, even though they are not supposed to, John 7:24.  So, you not only have to stay away from all evil but also from the appearance of all evil. However, don’t glory in appearance, 2 Cor. 5: 12.