AVOID EVIL AND THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL

Proclamation:

"Avoid every kind of evil."  1 Thessalonians 5:22 (NIV)  The King James version of The Bible for this verse reads: "Abstain from all appearance of evil."

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the believers in The Church at Thessaloniki.  Paul gave them advice regarding guidelines and examples of good Christian behavior.  In this verse he told them to avoid every kind of evil.  The Amplified Bible for this verse reads: "Abstain from evil; shrink from it and keep aloof from it, in whatever form or whatever kind it may be."

Application:
In order to engage in successful Christian living, one must avoid sinful behavior, as much as is humanly possible.  As believers we will still sin, but when we fall and sin, we do not stay down.  We ask The Lord God to forgive us and He picks us up and cleans us up. (Psalms 37:24 and 1 John 1:9)  However, believers are not only encouraged to avoid any activity which is sinful, we are also to avoid anything which even appears to be, or might be perceived to be sinful. (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV)  We are advised to avoid corrupt or evil practices which suggest sinful thoughts or actions, even if they are legal by the laws of man.  We should be very careful regarding that which we place before our sanctified eyes, or in our sanctified ears, because some inappropriate things can lead to sinful thoughts. (Psalms 101:3 and 2 Timothy 4:3)  Listening to false witness reports, or watching sinful acts on television, at the movies, or on the internet, produces sinful thoughts which is sinful behavior.  (Exodus 23:1, Psalms 101:3, Matthew 5:28, and Proverbs 23:7)  So, let us ask God to forgive us of our sinful thoughts, words, and actions.  Let us pray for guidance in our decision making, for help in avoiding sinful activities, and for help avoiding those things which appear evil or sinful.  We do not want to stumble and fall into sin, and we do not want to cause someone else, who is watching and imitating us to stumble and fall into sin. (Malachi 2:8) 

Study The Bible And Avoid Idle Conversation

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.  Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly."  2 Timothy 2:15-16 (NIV)  The King James Version says "Study to show thyself approved unto God..." 

These are the words of that prolific New Testament writer, the Apostle Paul, to his young protege in the ministry, Timothy.  Paul was encouraging Timothy to diligently apply himself  to the study of The Word of God. so that he would understand it, and be able to explain it to the people and thereby please The Lord.  Paul told him to avoid idle conversation and arguments, and to kind and gentle as he teaches The Word of God. (2 Timothy 2:16 and 23-26)

Most of us do not read the Bible as often as we should.  Studying The Word of God requires much more than just reading it.  Study entails developing an appreciation for the context in which something was said or done, looking up the definition of words, and comparing the content of a verse with other Bible verses that address the same content.  We all should read and study much more.  Here Paul urges Timothy to study and to do his best to correctly present The Word of God.  He told him not to be ashamed of his efforts but to be careful in the manner in which he speaks and teaches.  We would all also do well to heed Paul's warning to avoid idle godless conversation. Jesus, The Christ said that we would be judged on every idle word that we speak. (Matthew 12:36)  Christ also said that by our words we would be justified, and by our words we would be condemned. (Matthew 12:37)  Much of what we say could be left unspoken, because it is not helpful, and it does not praise God or give Him glory. As servants of The Lord we are not to quarrel with others, we are to kindly tell them what The Lord says. (2 Timothy 2:23-26)  It is the job and sanctifying work of The Holy Spirit to convict, convince, and convert them as He deems necessary. (2 Thessalonians 2:13 and 1 Peter 1:2)  If they will not hear us, or listen to us, it is better for us to just walk away than to argue with them. (Mark 6:11)  We should always be mindful of the fact that our behavior may be the only "Bible" that they will ever read.