Abstaining

1 Thessalonians 5:22

Paul gives a great admonition to the church in Thessalonica when in 1 Thess. 5:21-22 he says “But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.” In the context he is talking about not despising those who come in and speak prophecy. We know from 1 Cor. 13:9-13 that prophecy would be done away with then the perfect came, and we know from James 1:25 that the perfect is the “perfect law of liberty” the New Testament scriptures. While we do not have prophecy from God outside of the scriptures, (Heb. 1:1-3, John 20:30-31, 1 Pet. 1:19-21) we can learn something here about our responsibility to examine everything, believe that which is true, and abstain from any appearance of evil. When someone comes to teach us a new thing, we should not completely turn them away, but rather we should study the scriptures and see if what being said is true (Acts 17:10-12). 
Concerning what to abstain (to keep from doing something). We are told here to abstain evil in the form of false teaching. In Eph. 5:3-5 Paul tells the church in Ephesis that “Immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you.” (Empasis added). He later tells them that filthiness, silly talk, coarse jesting is not fitting and that no immoral, impure, or covetous man will have an inheritance in God’s kingdom. We must remember that we as Christians are called to be a “Holy nation” and a “people for God’s own possession” (1 Peter 2:9). If we are a people for God’s own possession, we need only be involved in those things that bring honor and glory to Him. If that means cutting out bad influences in our lives (1 Cor. 15:33) then so be it. Jesus told us it is better for certain parts of our lives to be cut out than for our whole bodies to burn (Matt. 5:29-30). Study with people to see if they are teaching the word of God and remember who we represent wherever we are. God knows what is done in the open and in secret (Matt. 6:1-6) I love you all!


In His service,
Steven Hugley