Paul warns us to abstain (stay away) from even the very appearance of evil. He’s speaking about the outside, visible part of us as what others might see as evil. Born again believers in Christ have an awesome responsibility to Jesus, we’ve put on Christ therefore we are to hold ourselves above even the appearance of evil. Christians should know what the appearance of evil is and what not.
A married Christian once asked if it was alright for him to be alone in his car with a single woman. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 was quoted to him to explain why this was not a good idea. The explanation of why this would be seen as wrong was not understood by him. Another man asked if two older people in their sixties could live together without being married. Again, it’s the appearance of evil, and it could lead others astray. He went on to give the reason why this older Christian couple decide to live together instead of following God’s way of marriage. “But if they get married they’re placed in a higher tax bracket and that’s why they remain unmarried”. Excuse me, but where in the Bible is there a verse that condones living together to avoid paying your taxes?
As for those who belong to the Lord Jesus, we must find ways to prevent even the slightest manifestation of evil in our lives. Our intensions may be perfectly innocent but remember it’s the perception of evil that’s being discussed here.
There should be no stepping out of the light into darkness. As Christians we are to not only avoid the darkness but even the appearance of darkness in our lives. We know God sees everything, every sin we commit whether out in the open or hidden by darkness. “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good,” Proverbs 15:3. When we are out in public others can see how we act and how we speak. Believers know it’s their responsibility to present the Lord Jesus to the lost and they see Him through our lives. How can we be His light to the lost if we are stepping back and forth in and out of darkness?
The second part of Paul’s warning is for us to have no occasion to stumble a fellow brother in Christ. In other words there should be nothing in our walk with Christ that would lead another into sin. Again, we stay away from every appearance of evil (sin).
Many Christians today have become lax in their attitudes toward sin. Having a grasp of what the appearance of evil may be, before we step into that dark arena might just keep us from stumbling a brother, not to mention ourselves. Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, comes with maturity, Christian maturity. Christians who are mature in their walk with the Lord Jesus will do anything to avoid the appearance of evil; no one wants to knowingly lead another astray.
When we look around at the world today we can plainly see evil permeating everything in society. They’ll tell us that bad and evil are now good. Believers must be constantly on guard and thoroughly prepared for what’s coming. This world is turning upside down. We must abstain from joining the crowd. Instead, we must present the Biblical Gospel to the lost (www.NeedGod.com).
Many today who call themselves Christians haven’t a clue as to the full scope of evil that currently permeates our society.
Believers have neglected their Bibles long enough. We read and study God’s word and learn His truth and what God considers evil and what He accepts as good. Then we need to take it one step further and apply His precepts to our lives.
Put on righteousness, allow no evil into your circle of influence, be the light Christ has ordained you to be. Be wise, be careful, be an example of Christ on earth. Avoid at all cost the appearance of evil. Remember the temptation to embrace evil comes from the lust of the flesh: read James 1:13-15.
Have a good day – but what is the worth of a good day if it is not also a Godly day? (Woodrow Kroll).
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