By Steve A. Hamilton

1 Thessalonians 5:20-22

Introduction:  1 Thessalonians 5:22 is one of those verses that we often misuse in ignorance.  If something seems wrong to us (even if it is not wrong in itself) this verse comes to our aid. For example, when the Harry Potter movies came out many people said Christians could not watch it because it dealt with witchcraft.  Witchcraft is understandably wrong; therefore, it is reasoned that the Harry Potter books have the appearance of evil.

          Is that the kind of thing this verse teaches?  Am I directed to avoid all appearances of evil as others perceive it?

I. What standard for appearances do we use?

          A. What appears to be evil to me may not appear to be evil to you.

                   1. To the Jews Jesus healing the sick on the Sabbath appeared evil (Luke 13:14).  Not to mention they also thought it appeared evil for Jesus to eat with sinners (Luke 5:30; 15:2).

                   2. Some Christians believe it appears evil to eat in a restaurant that serves alcohol.  Some people won’t even shop where cigarettes are sold.

                   3. Jews of our day think it is evil to refer to Jesus as the Messiah.  Catholics think it appears evil to disregard the Pope.  Jehovah Witnesses believe saluting the flag appears to be evil.

          B. I’m sure it would appear evil if I kept company with a drunk.  But is it wrong (1 Cor. 5:10-13)?

II. The word “appearance” in 1 Thes. 5:22 is an idiom.

          A. An idiom is “a style or form of artistic expression that is characteristic of an individual…” It is “an expression in the usage of a language that is peculiar to itself either grammatically… or in having a meaning that cannot be derived from the conjoined meanings of its elements (as Monday week for “the Monday a week after next Monday’). (Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary)

          B. Paul uses this same Greek word for appearance in 2 Cor. 5:7.  “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (meaning the visible appearance).

          C. Of all the other times this Greek word is used in the New Testament it means the visible appearance (Luke 3:22; 9:29; John 5:37). 

          D. In other words, 1 Thess. 5:22 means to avoid the visible appearance (reality) of evil.  The meaning of the verse is not a prohibition of the specious appearance of evil as many have concluded.

          E. Given that Paul just mentioned prophecy, it would mean in context to avoid all evil teachings or practices. 

III. This is not self imposed abstinence from my own arbitrary judgment.

          A. I know of one family who has concluded that all materials dealing with evil must be avoided.  To them it would be wrong to read Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.  No one should see war or western movies.  Murder is sinful so murder mysteries are bad.  A person should not even read a history books if it deals with sin.  However, the Bible is permissible since we are required to read it (Rom. 10:17; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; etc.)  This is terribly inconsistent.   

          B.  I’m not saying it is wrong if a family chooses to restrict such material for their conscience sake (1 Cor. 8:7).  However, to insist that others must abide by an individual’s conclusion that all perceived association with evil (as that person perceives it) must be avoided would be wrong (Rom. 14:3-5). 

IV. Association with evil as defined in the scriptures is what makes it wrong.  (Again, it is not what I perceive that makes something wrong.)

          A. Obviously, the Lord does not want us to associate with evil (1 Cor. 15:33; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 5:11; 1 Thes. 5:22).

          B. For example, all appearances of evil associated with fleshly lusts must be avoided (1 Pet. 2:11). This would include any material that could cause lust or sin (Rom. 6:11-13; 8:5).  Inherently, all pornography would be sinful to view.

          C. Does this mean I could not watch a show dealing with the investigation of a rape (ex. an episode of CSI)?

          D. Jesus taught that the commission of sin is what defiles a person (Mark 7:15).

          E. If I read a history book on the OK Corral where murder was committed, did I commit murder?  Am I embracing darkness? 

          F. When children play cops and robbers are they sinning?

          G. When I read Cinderella to my daughter, am I encouraging witchcraft?

          H. Do you think Luke quit practicing medicine when it came to female issues?  Would it be wrong to be a mortician?

          I. Isn’t it impossible to abstain from everything that looks like evil to somebody?  Didn’t Jesus condemn the scribes and Pharisees for making laws that they could not keep themselves (Matt. 23:3-4).  That is what we are doing when we say we must abstain from every perception of evil (Col. 2:20-23).        

Conclusion:  When Paul wrote “Abstain from every form of evil,” he means abstinence from that which is actually evil.  It is not possible for anyone to avoid all perceptions of evil.  Paul said to “hold fast to what is good.” In contrast to that he said to “Abstain from …evil” in whatever actual form it comes. 

Last modified: 05/02/08