In his letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul urges Christians to “flee from all appearance of evil.” This is sound counsel for believers today. Many things in the world can tempt us away from God, and we need to be vigilant in avoiding anything that might compromise our faith.
What does it mean to abstain from these appearances of evil, and what are they? This blog post will explore those questions and offer some practical tips for living a life that is free from sin.
What Does It Mean To Abstain From The Appearance Of Evil?
The phrase “appearance of evil” can be found in 1 Thessalonians 5:22, which says, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” This verse refers to the need for you as a believer, to stay away from anything that might lead you astray from God. These things can be in the form of physical or spiritual temptations.
There are many different ways that we can fall prey to sin and evil in our lives. For example, we may be tempted by impure thoughts or desires, or we may be led astray by worldly materialism, greed, or temptation to commit acts of violence or cruelty.
In Prov. 14:123, the bible highlights something important – “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death”.
Oftentimes, Christians engage in activities and lifestyles that aren’t in line with the word of God. They may not see anything wrong with it because it doesn’t seem harmful to them. However, we need to be mindful that just because something doesn’t appear to be evil, doesn’t mean that it isn’t. We need to take care to ensure that our actions and thoughts are in line with what God has called us to do.
To avoid falling into these traps, it is important to develop habits that strengthen our faith and help us stay focused on God.
What does the Bible say about evil looking good?
In Isa 5:20, we find a remarkable thing that the Prophet Isaiah said about evil looking good. “Woe to them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
This is a warning to believers not to be deceived by appearances. Just because something looks good on the surface doesn’t mean that it is good. We need to dig deeper and examine things carefully before we make decisions about them. The world is full of things that can tempt us away from God. We need to be on our guard against anything that might lead us astray.
Practical Tips For Avoiding Evil
What are some practical tips I can do to avoid evil?
1. Develop a strong relationship with God.
You must develop a strong relationship with God. You need to spend time reading the Bible and praying. This will help you to understand God’s will for your life and give you the strength to resist temptation.
2. Seek godly counsel.
When you are facing a difficult decision, seek the advice of mature Christians who can help you see things from a godly perspective. Often, we tend to seek counsel from friends that may not fear God as much as we do and they may give us “peer counsel”.
3. Avoid worldly pleasures.
The world is full of things that can tempt us away from God. We need to be careful not to get caught up in the pursuit of earthly pleasures. Instead, we should set our hearts on things that are eternal. This doesn’t mean that you can never enjoy the good things in life. But you should be careful not to let them become more important to you than your relationship with God.
4. Stay close to other believers.
Mark boundaries between you and anyone that makes you do things you’re not proud of as a Christian. Surround yourself with other Christians who can encourage you and help you stay on the right path. Here’s the argument about going to church every Sunday.
5. Be mindful of your actions and thoughts.
You need to be careful about what you do and think. Make sure that your actions are in line with God’s word whether someone is watching you or not. This includes everything from the way you treat other people to the way you spend your time and money and how you live your lives privately.
6. Follow God’s example of love and grace.
This is the most important thing. As Christians, we are called to follow God’s example of love and grace. We are to show love and compassion to others, even those who don’t deserve it. We are also to forgive those who have wronged us. This is not always easy, but it is what God has called us to do. When we choose to follow the world’s example of greed, ego, and selfishness, we are not living up to our full potential as Christians. We need to strive to be more like Christ in everything we do.
7. One final thought – Stand Up
Don’t be afraid to stand up for what is right, even if it means you will be unpopular. It is better to suffer the consequences of doing the right thing than to do the wrong thing and live with the guilt.
Bible Verses about Appearance Of Evil
- Proverbs 14:12
- Romans 12:9
- 1 Thessalonians 5:22
By following these steps, we can all work to avoid the appearance of evil in our lives. Instead, focus on living a life that is full of peace and joy in Christ. In the words of Bishop David Oyedepo, if you don’t want the grace of God upon your life to be turned to disgrace, embrace godliness and righteousness.
