Every Form Of Evil
I Thessalonians 5:22
"Abstain from every form of evil"
I was thinking today about a subject that often bothers me...abstaining from the appearance of evil. Modern translations have somewhat watered down the word "form" as used in the NKJV and several other translations. The Greek word eidos means the object of sight, what is "seen" or better yet the word "appearance". The Greek word apechomai translated as abstain means to; keep oneself, to abstain or refrain from.
More and more I see so-called Christians doing things that I personally have a problem with and I really can't quite understand why they do not seem bothered at all. They think because they have good intentions and have kept themselves pure that if what they have done has an appearance of evil then that is my problem NOT theirs. They are not concerned with what people think and perceive by their behavior. They would prefer to call me a "legalist" just because I saw their behavior as "inappropriate" for one who professes Christ. However, I have a real problem when I find that brothers of mine have had their girlfriends spending the night or accompanying them on long trips. Now I have no doubt that these brothers were sincere and nothing "happened" between them that would fall into the realm of fornication but they did put themselves into compromising positions that were not after the character and nature of Christ.
The "appearance of evil" needs to be considered. As Christians we are told not to act "improperly" towards a virgin (I Cor. 7:36). If we "think" that we are then we should marry. Simple as that! Now this must not be taken in just a "literal" sense but the "moral" sense that tells us that there is certain behavior that is unfitting between persons of the opposite sex. Otherwise you get into semantics about whether she is a virgin or not just to "justify" your behavior. In I Corinthians 13 the NASB version says that love "does not act unbecomingly". Love does not behave in a way that is inappropriate or unseemly.
Our postmodern culture has had such far-reaching effects on our casual outlook on everything that we have forgotten that we serve a "holy" God. It says in I Peter 1:16 that we are to be "holy" and the reason stated is because "He" (God) is holy. It is fine to "take along a believing wife" as the Apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 9:5 but I'm pretty sure that Paul might object to some of the loose behavior that I am witnessing today.
Television shows like "Friends" have done a lot of damage in changing attitudes as to what is right or wrong in relational behavior. Don't get me wrong...I have watched "Friends", and have found it an extremely funny show at times, and even really brilliantly written in some respects, BUT the casual attitude that says that men and women can be "just" friends is wrong. The show itself didn't even hold up to that attitude because the main characters were always getting involved with each other. Which, just goes to show a point that I want to make which is this...two people of the opposite sex cannot be placed into intimate settings without one, or the other, or both, becoming involved emotionally, physically or both. It's one thing for people of the world to take relationships so casually but for a Christian to do so is just unconscionable.
I would really like to drive home the seriousness of our behavior as Christians. The world is watching you Christian!! Wake up! Ephesians 5 verse 15 tells us to "walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise redeeming the time because the days are evil". The word circumspectly simply means "carefully". We are not to walk as the world does but walk carefully. That means taking account of God and His will and ways, and also taking account of God's people, but most importantly the world because that is where you have your public witness and responsibility.
One last thought before I close on this subject. Colossians 3:17 states that "whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus". When you think about your actions and intentions think also as to whether you can attach the Lord's name to what you are doing. If you cannot then is it likely that you shouldn't do it? I am not advocating a WWJD mentality.(although it is better than nothing) What is far better is that your life would be so formed by the Spirit that what you do would be in keeping with the spirit and moral nature of Christ and after that kind of Man, the "Heavenly" Man. Now, we are said, in Ephesians chapter 2, to be seated with Christ in "heavenly" places. This would make us "heavenly" men also and yet we do such earthly and worldly things. To be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God. Is this really how you want to be thought of?
Think my friends! Think!
Your brother in Jesus,
Philologus
posted by Ktrek | 9:36 PM
2 Comments:
I personally am for "casual" relationships with members of the opposite sex. If you notice in the article I state "intimate" relationships. In 49 years I cannot think of one time when two people got intimate that didn't wind up with them becoming emotionally and usually physically involved. Now obviously when two people are dating they need to spend time together getting to know one another. However, Christians should set boundaries on how intimate their time together becomes. What I am addressing is the "casualness" of relationships that say it's ok for you to get in a car and head off on vacation with your boyfriend. It would not only be inappropriate behavior BUT it gives the appearance of evil. Whether anything sexual occurred or not most people will believe it did unless they know you VERY well. Christians today are allowing behavior that even 30 to 40 years ago would have been considered scandalous. Now you can take the attitude that I'm just a legalist and an old fuddy duddy but I talking about taking scriptural "principles" seriously and your "public" testimony before others.
I think it's great that you have male friends but be sure that you set the boundaries and stick with them. The closer you get to someone the more they will want to press through those boundaries.
Trust me I speak as a red-blooded American male who all too well knows how the flesh is capable of manifesting itself. Only a strong conviction in what God considers "righteous" and acceptable behavior will preserve you from stumbling.
Philologus
Re: appearance of evil.
There is another interpretation of this that you should consider.
Perhaps, rather than abstaining from everything that looks like evil, the author is encouraging us to abstain from evil itself, in all of its appearances.
Perhaps, "every form of evil" is actually the more intuitive translation. Abstain from evil every time it appears. Abstain from every different occurence and permutation of evil.
Remember, dear brother, our Lord and Saviour ate with sinners, and picked grain on the Sabbath -- these things appeared as evil in His days.
Remember, that just about everything looks like evil to someone.
I would suggest sticking to your other excellent references in your writing about purity. We must not get caught up in making moral decisions based on how things look to others!
Sincerely,
juliuspc
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