“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22).
Introduction
A believer in the Lord Jesus Christ ought to be
able to recognise all forms of evil, be it in word, deed, or doctrine, and avoid
it. The Geneva Study Bible states, “Whatever has but the very show of evil, abstain from it.”
Paul is advising that a Christian must decline to be involved in anything that
even suggests that it is unholy.
Abstain
The word “aloof” has been chosen at the head of this
study to indicate exactly what Paul is saying here. The Merriam-Webster
dictionary defines this as being “removed
or distant either physically or emotionally”. This is the response we must
have when evil appears. This is precisely what the word “abstain” means, but
it obviously has the added idea of abstinence. At www.wiktionary.org the word is
defined as holding “one's self aloof; to forbear or keep from doing,
especially an indulgence of the passions or appetites.”
What evil are we to avoid? Some commentators say
that it is any form of evil that comes to us by way of temptation, such as
sinful thoughts and behaviour. While this is taught elsewhere in Scripture, it
is more likely that the apostle is referring to the evil practices and doctrines
of others. This idea is inline with 1 Thessalonians 5:21, “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” “The context, however, does not refer to evil appearances IN
OURSELVES which we ought to abstain from, but to holding ourselves aloof from
every evil appearance IN OTHERS; as for instance, in the pretenders to
spirit-inspired prophesyings … However specious be the form or outward
appearance of such would-be prophets and their prophesyings, hold yourselves
aloof from every such form when it is evil” (Jamieson, Fausset, Brown Bible
Commentary). “Be not deceived: evil
communications corrupt good manners” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Everything of
the evil one, and those who follow him, is designed to unsettle and destroy our
faith, “The thief cometh not, but for
to steal, and to kill, and to destroy” (John 10:10), but those who know
Christ’s voice and obey Him will not be deceived, “If
any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God,
or whether I speak of myself” (John 7:17).
As mentioned above, it is vital for believers to abstain
from all forms of evil. Whatever looks like sin, leads to it, or even suggests
it ought to be fled from. Those who refuse to walk in holiness obviously have no
desire to avoid temptation, but instead go headlong into sin, and the outcome is
unavoidable unless there is true repentance. “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and
enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it
is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15). This thought was
mentioned earlier in 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7, “For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his
vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as
the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother
in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have
forewarned you and testified. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but
unto holiness.”
Who can obey such a command?
There is no point Paul advising those who do not know
Christ as Saviour to avoid all appearance of sin, for they do not have the
God-given ability to do so. So since he must be writing to believers alone, we
must agree that all who claim to be followers of Christ ought to walk in
holiness and avoid iniquity, false doctrine and all that the devil seeks to
destroy believers with. “Be sober, be
vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about,
seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith” (1 Peter
5:8-9). To continue to indulge in evil is proof enough that a person does not
truly know God. “Beloved, follow not
that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he
that doeth evil hath not seen God” (3 John :11). It is God’s desire for
us to repent if we fall into temptation, “Wash
you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes;
cease to do evil … Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD:
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be
red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:16, 18).
Conclusion
“Hold fast to the good, but hold
yourselves free from every kind of evil that tries to parade as a genuine
representation of the Spirit” (Expositors Bible Commentary). This is the true
context of 1 Thessalonians, but no true believer would suggest that evil can be
engaged in. The verse cannot be divorced from the whole context of the letter.
No matter what form evil takes, it is our responsibility to avoid it, therefore
we must see this verse as an extension of Paul’s clarion call to
sanctification and holiness. “Wherefore come out from among them,
and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will
receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and
daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly
beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1).
© 25/8/2008