1 Thessalonians 5:16–22 (ESV) 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. Last week we looked at the Church Dynamics in verses 12-15. Since it is impossible to totally comply with these instructions apart from a personal communion with God, Paul turns to the believer’s inner life which is necessary succeed.