Does “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV) really mean the Christian is required to avoid anything that even appears to be some kind of evil? Does this apply even if it is really actually good? Who decides what appears to be evil? Who decides what is a form of evil? Who decides the penalty? Who makes the judgement? You, other Christians, or non-believers? This almost always leads to the bondage of legalism that the Apostle Paul warned against.
You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!”? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. (Colossians 2:20-23 NLT)
Let’s examine the full context in several translations
- Do not quench the Spirit, do not utterly reject prophecies, but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 NASB)
- Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 NIV)
- Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 KJV)
- Do not quench [subdue, or be unresponsive to the working and guidance of] the [Holy] Spirit. Do not scorn or reject gifts of prophecy or prophecies [spoken revelations–words of instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test all things carefully [so you can recognize what is good]. Hold firmly to that which is good. Abstain from every form of evil [withdraw and keep away from it]. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 AMP)
- Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 MSG)
If this means to abstain from everything that could have the appearance of anything evil to anyone, then we are trapped in hopeless bondage to legalism. And the most aggressively legalistic ungodly person will always win. And the Christian faith will devolve into biting and devouring one another over the stupidest trivial things. You laugh! But I have seen it happen many times. And it always ends with everyone being consumed.
Ironically, the Greek word used for “appearance” is also used in 2 Corinthians 5:7. If this means to listen carefully to Bible teaching and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us unto all truth, then we are going to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. And our roots will grow down into his love. And our fellowship will be known by it’s love for one another. You sigh! But I have experienced this kind of church. It is like a foretaste of heaven on earth.
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:6-10 KJV)
This is not a conundrum. We can abstain from all appearance of evil and walk by faith not appearance. But it requires more than the legalistic man-made rules and regulations to avoid all appearance of evil. It requires walking by faith and leaving the resulting appearance to God.
Let’s consider the definition of appearance, form, kind, sight
- 1491. eidos
- (a neuter noun derived from 1492 /eídō, “to see, apprehend”) – properly, the sight (i.e. of something exposed, observable), especially its outward appearance or shape (J. Thayer). 1491 (eídos) emphasizes “what is physically seen” (BAGD) before mentally or spiritually apprehended. See 1492 (eidō, oida).
Example: 1491 /eídos (“visible appearance”) refers to the outward form taken on by each of the three Persons of the tri-personal God: a) the Holy Spirit in Lk 3:22: “And the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove”; b) Jesus, in Lk 9:29: “And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming”; and c) the Father, in Jn 5:37: “You have neither heard His voice at any time, nor seen His form.” –Copyright © 1987, 2011 by Helps Ministries, Inc.
- 1492. eidó (oida)
- properly, to see with physical eyes (cf. Ro 1:11), as it naturally bridges to the metaphorical sense: perceiving (“mentally seeing”). This is akin to the expressions: “I see what You mean”; “I see what you are saying.”
1492 /eídō (“seeing that becomes knowing”) then is a gateway to grasp spiritual truth (reality) from a physical plane. 1492 (eídō) then is physical seeing (sight) which should be the constant bridge to mental and spiritual seeing (comprehension). –Copyright © 1987, 2011 by Helps Ministries, Inc.
This is the same root word used in this famous passage. Jesus challenged them to see with their eyes, to perceive with their senses, to experience his action, so they would know the force and meaning of his power and authority.
And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house. But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. (Matthew 9:2-8 KJV)
The truth of the word appearance is beautifully simple and clear
Therefore, “abstain from all appearance of evil” does not mean you are not allowed do anything that someone might possibly think has the possible appearance of some kind of evil. Any church that pulls this verse out of context and enforces it on the congregation like this, is going to trap them in a man-made fear-based legalistic zombie church. This will lead to every evil thing.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by his good conduct that his deeds are done in gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and don’t lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed. (James 3:13-16 WEB)
On the contrary, “abstain from all appearance of evil” is used in the context of listening to trustworthy Bible teachers without prejudice and allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to us. We need to use discernment and understanding to hold on to what is good. Even if is it difficult to understand or finds fault in our lives. But, when we see what is being taught is wrong because it goes against the revealed word of God as recorded in the Bible, we need to stay away from it.
- Can two walk together, except they be agreed? – Does Amos 3:3 mean God requires you to agree before you can have fellowship? Absolute uniformity in everything? Religious doctrines? Practical applications?
- All the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes – The key point is “when they served God, they prospered” versus “again and again falling away with their own eyes from God into the worship of idols.”
- The shocking war between the good intentions of the flesh and the spirit – The pious life of a religious zealot versus the wild partying life of a drunken sinner? No, the good intentions of our flesh hinder our spirit.