Heartfelt Concern. 1st Thessalonians 3:5 There is a real risk of Satan launching a successful attack on a Christian to overthrow the work for the Lord in which they are involved. We must recognize that powerful forces are against God's children, aiming to test us severely. It is our duty to watch and pray so that we are not led into temptation; we should be aware of how easily carelessness or disobedience can lead to consequences that defeat us.
There are temptations from outside ourselves that can hinder God's work. Politics has a strong appeal and can negatively influence us because it exerts a certain level of control over our daily lives. Stay away from politics. Religions can also be tempting when we see groups drawing large crowds to popular, big churches. They seem successful because many people attend and feel comfortable, or because they are practically invisible among a crowd. The world's systems have something to tempt everyone.
Temptations from the devil appeal to our pride, self-worth, and desire to be recognized as important. Subtle suggestions, deceitful aspirations, and a desire for independence—thinking that “My way is right, therefore what I want to do is what is important”—are strong temptations.
The problems and pressures in life are ways God uses to bring about maturity in us, helping us understand how we can support others. Our character grows during difficult times when our beliefs are reinforced by the actions we are called to take in challenging circumstances. Trustworthiness, as well as the ability to thrive and persevere, are developed during moments of tension when our choices are serious and we realize we must accept the consequences of them.
Christians from Thessalonica had taken the Gospel to areas beyond their community and had seen results for their efforts. Amid their joy, they needed to be warned about the "tribulations" and "afflictions" that would follow. A shepherd's role is to pray for those he cares for. Those prayers bring faces and names to our minds and motivate us to seek information about them. We long for communication until we can no longer bear the uncertainty.
How grateful we are when someone brings news about the saints' condition. Our burden for others can become so heavy that God, in His grace, sends a "Timothy" along with the news we eagerly await and the reassurance we need. We understand that the enemy will try to tempt God's people to abandon holiness. He will attempt to get them to give in to temptations that can defile them and ruin their Christian witness.
We are grateful for the shepherds who are concerned about God's people and willing to communicate with them meaningfully. Those same individuals need to "take heed" to themselves and to "the flock of God." A positive report on the health of the assembly and its believers can satisfy the longing of a faithful heart.