You cannot separate the Christian life from life in the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit regenerates, indwells, gifts, baptizes, and empowers the Christian. In his closing counsel to the young Thessalonian believers he cautions them about not doing anything that would limit what the Holy Spirit wanted to do in their lives. They must not quench or stifle the Holy Spirit in their life, the lives of other believers, or the church as a whole. They must also be open to the encouragement and exhortation of other believers who may be using their Spirit-given gift of prophecy. Yet they must be cautious, too. They are responsible to examine what others say and retain only what is good. Paul wants these believers to be alive in the Spirit but also alert in the Spirit.