Hold yourself off from a view that is evil.

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

I think I remember writing about this scripture sometime back, however new light concerning it has come to view. Most Baptist preachers equate this with an act of evil or to something that appears to be evil; however I believe this verse goes much deeper than just that one point. As it was so brilliantly pointed out in a commentary I was looking at; this scripture taken in its context has another side to it and that is its main reference is to doctrinal issues. Without belittling what has been and is so often referred to with this scripture let us take it in the actual context in which God has planted it. Verse 19 “Quench not the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit controls our biblical education, verse 20 “Despise not prophesyings.” That is don’t make light or reject the teaching of old, and verse 21 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” Prove all the doctrine and stand firm on that which the scripture teaches. And this brings us to verse 22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil” now if we take two words in verse 22 “Abstain” which means - to hold oneself off, that is, refrain” - and the word “appearance” which means - form or a view – and take in the context of the verses before verse 22 the main reference is to the teaching of the word of God. Therefore, it is suggested this verse is teaching us to “Hold yourself off from a view that is evil.” That is anything outside of what the Holy Spirit teaches, despising not the teachings of old, proving all things scriptural to be truth, and standing firm on those truths which is good. The Lord never promised us they would ever be good to the ears of the religionist or of modern day assemblies but always to His chosen few. Beloved it is our reasonability to the Lord to obey His commandment and stay away from anything that sounds or appears to be contrary to His word and this includes modern day teachings. The reason for this is not to allow ourselves get caught up in the teachings of the world and to focus on the truths of God’s Holy Scripture. And in verse 23 we see the reason for this “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” To keep ourselves blameless unto the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we allow ourselves to be led away from God’s truths we will suffer great loss in rewards and therefore being less in God’s kingdom because we have no rewards before the King’s throne.

In Isaiah 33:15, 16 we read “He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil; (16.) He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.” Those that stand and walk according to God word will dwell higher than those who left the truth for worldly gain. Beloved the Lord has always rewarded those who are faithful to Him and being faithful to the Lord today is standing on truth and not even viewing other doctrine at all. I know the thought today is you have to hear all sides and then make up you’re mind to what is truth or not and I say hog wash, the Lord say not to even view what they have to say because Satan is a great deceiver and a greater liar and will draw us all into his web of lies if we give him a chance. It is not our concern what they are teaching and therefore we are to look the other way when they are teaching. So here it is “it is not ok to give any attention to false teachers at all” because that means you are viewing evil teaching.