Appearance of Evil
CORRECTION
- This post was based on my understanding of what I have heard and learned which is based on the King James translation. This understanding is incorrect. Please see correction at Appearance of Evil – OOPS. I am leaving this post up as a comparison. This is the understanding of most Christians on this verse as most Christians will revert to the KJV understanding.
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but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 (ESV)
What does this verse mean? The Greek word that we translate as “form” means “appearance, fashion, shape, sight.” The command is that Christians are to abstain from the APPEARANCE of evil. How far do we take this commandment? Are we to examine everything that we do from every possible angle to ensure that not one person will find fault? Of course not. Christians are commanded to live a life that is above reproach. Our lives before God can be seen by Him not only in our actions but also in our hearts. While we know that God is aware that we are not engaged evil, His command is that we must not have the appearance of doing evil in the sight of man.
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for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. 2 Corinthians 8:21 (ESV)
Here it is restated for clarity in the Amplified Version:
- For we take thought beforehand and aim to be honest and absolutely above suspicion, not only in the sight of the Lord but also in the sight of men. (2 Corinthians 8:21 AMP)
Scripture tells us that we are to abstain from evil. This is in contrast to scripture that states we are not to have an appearance of evil. We are commanded not to sin. We are also commanded not to have the appearance that we are sinning.
Why would God command us not to have an appearance of evil? We are ambassadors of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:20). That means we are representing Him in our lives. Our lives must be reflective of Him. A Christian’s life must be above reproach not only in deed but also must look like it is above reproach.
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