THE DANGER OF SPIRITUAL CONTEMPT 1
NOVEMBER 8, 2026
TEXT: Despise not prophesyings. (1 Thessalonians 5:20)
There are many problems confronting or ravaging the body of Christ today, but one of the notable ones is spiritual contempt. A lot of believers nowadays exhibit contemptuous and disdainful tendencies towards the Word of God. Many probably feel they have become so affiliated with God and His ways that they no longer need any further spiritual guidance. This mentality is indeed a very dangerous one. If you properly study verses 18–22 of our given text, you will see a series of connected instructions bordering on not quenching the Spirit, not despising prophecies, proving or testing all things, and abstaining from every appearance of evil.
Through these interconnected instructions, Paul was teaching believers how to maintain a very healthy relationship and connection with the Holy Spirit. He does not want believers to suppress genuine spiritual manifestations, but neither does he want them to be gullible and accept everything they hear.
As earlier stated, too much familiarity with the source of spiritual gifts can destroy reverence. Some people have attended their churches for so long that nothing seems spiritually instructive to them any longer. They hear prophecies regularly, witness prayer sessions, and participate in church programmes, but their hearts have become insensitive. Even our Saviour, Jesus Christ, returned to His hometown and was ignored. The people became offended because they were seemingly familiar with His background. Jesus marvelled greatly at their unbelief and could not perform many signs and wonders in their midst (Mark 6:3–6). Thus, familiarity can make people lose touch with the spiritual significance of what is happening before them. This is not an excuse to accept everything we hear. Rather, it is meant to strike a balance between being naïve and being contemptuous.
SEARCHLIGHT: Never become overly comfortable to the extent that you begin to despise the manifestation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
PRAYER: O LORD, help me to show reverence for Your works, in Jesus’ mighty name.
BIBLE READING: Isaiah 16–18; Mark 15
PASTOR MICHAEL OMOLE
