Abstain!

“Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22

One of the greatest problems of believers in Jesus Christ is to abstain from evil, but God has demanded of us to do it. While we are yet sinners even while in the gracious salvation of God. No human is perfect and we should never expect another to be perfect. God warned us through the Apostle Paul, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 As Christians we must think soberly because it is easy for proud believers to tend to believe that somehow they are more highly and more respectfully above others. But as we think soberly and not thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought, we should remember that we are all sinners saved by the grace of God. And as sinners none of us are better than the other. We must believe that all the goodness in us if in Jesus Christ and given to us by the holy Spirit through the grace of the Father. Paul went on to say in Romans 12:3b “…according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”  We must understand that God deals with us independently of each other. It is God that takes a single lump of clay and molds each of us the way He chooses too. One He may give many gifts of grace, another somewhat less, and some He may have made them a vessel for destruction. There is not injustice with God He has the right to do as He please, just as you would if you created something. Therefore, the more you know, the stronger you are, is the more blessed with Gods “measure of faith”. Therefore, I believe it is wrong to be critical of one who lacks the graces you do. However, lacking grace, faith, and understanding is one thing, but to disobey God is another. Christians often get themselves into trouble by knowingly disobeying God. Even the simplest believer knows it is wrong to disobey God. Therefore, it is our job to avoid sin in our lives and to worship God with all our being. God warns us throughout His word to avoid evil and sin. We should not be around it, nor be a part of it so that we are not tempted. The less temped you are the less likely you are to disobey God.

 

Now to our main point. We are not only to avoid sin but we are also to avoid putting ourselves in a place that even looks like sin. Notice exactly what God said “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” In other words, don’t put yourself in a position that it is going to make you look like you are sinning. Let me use this example, if you are sitting in a bar where drinks are served, one might assume you are consuming alcohol, and if you are sitting with a pretty woman one might assume you are with her instead of your wife. Now all of this is assumption, but you are going to be mad it someone claims they saw you. But here is the question, who’s fault is the misunderstanding? It is yours for allowing yourself to be seen in “…appearance of evil.” We don’t need to forget that God also told us “That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.” 1 Thessalonians 4:12 How are we walking honestly before them if we are walking with them? Folk’s don’t sit with sinners unless you want to look like one of them. Regardless of the measure of faith that God has given to us, we all know by faith alone to avoid sin, and here God tells us to even avoid the appearance of it. I finish with this thought, please read it very careful. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8