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NO APPEARANCE OF EVIL
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25
1 Thessalonians 5:22

Philippians 2:12-16

 

“Abstain from all

appearance of evil.”

 

NO APPEARANCE OF EVIL
 
Many people are very concerned about their physical appearance. They spend so much time on choosing the right clothes, doing up their hair, accessorising, etc. But are we as concerned about our spiritual testimony before the Lord? As believers, this is the appearance that we ought to be far more interested in. It is the testimony that we bear for the Lord.
 
The command here is that we must abstain from all appearance of evil. It means that we must distance ourselves not just from sin, but even the appearance of it. We must be very circumspect in all that we do, that we never give the wrong impression to anyone, that there be no possibility of any misunderstanding or confusion as to our holiness and moral purity. Yet we must be careful that we are not doing this as man pleasers. We do not want to be overly legalistic in policing what may or may not potentially be perceived as evil by others.
 
The purpose of this is twofold. First, it is for our conscience before God. We must be extremely careful that we do not in any way sin against God and offend Him. We want to stay as far from any temptation, or potential to sin, as possible. Instead, we seek after that which is just and good in the sight of God.
 
Second, it is to ensure that we maintain a blameless testimony before men, that we may be effective witnesses for God. We want to show forth a consistent testimony of Christ so that we can draw others to Him. We would loathe to be a stumbling block to others or be a hindrance to the Gospel in any way. We never want anyone to have any perception of moral impropriety in us, or to have our actions or motives misconstrued as being evil. Therefore, we ought to carefully examine our lives. If there are any questionable matters that could become a sin or a stumbling block to others around us, we abstain and stay very far away from them. Like Paul, our desire must be that we “please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved” (1 Cor 10:33).
 
THOUGHT: (Read 2 Corinthians 8:21.)

PRAYER: Father, help me to be a shining light for Thee.

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