Christ First Forum

by **Remnant** » 07 Sep 2009, 19:01

1 Thessalonians 5:22. Paul admonishes us to abstain (stay away or have nothing to do with) even the very appearance of evil. He's speaking about those things outside of us, visible part of us as what others might perceive as evil. Born again believers in Christ have an awesome responsibility to Jesus, we've put on Christ therefore we are to hold ourselves above what even the appearance of evil. I believe Christians should make it a point to know what evil is based on God's word.

People will invent all kind of excuses that allows them to live with or even wallow in sin.
Then they begin to flaunt their sin since they've been able to condone it in their own eyes. For us who are in Christ Jesus, we must find ways to prevent even the slightest manifestation of evil in our lives. Our intentions may be perfectly innocent but remember it's the perception of evil that's being addressed here.

"He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him" 1 John 2:10. In Greek the word "meno" can be translated as "Abide, tarry, remain continually, and endure".

As followers of Jesus Christ we are to remain (abideth) steadfast in the light. There should be no variance or movement out of the light into darkness. As Christians we are to not only avoid the darkness but even the appearance of darkness in our lives. We know God sees everything, every sin we commit whether out in the open or hidden by darkness. "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good," Proverbs 15:3. When we are out in public others can see how we act and how we speak. Believers know it's their responsibility to present Jesus to the lost and they scrutinize everything in us to see if we are who and what we say we represent.

How can we be His light to the lost if we are stepping back and forth in and out of darkness?

"How will what I'm about to do glorify God?" If it doesn't glorify God, abstain. It's that simple.

Having a grasp of what may constitute the appearance of evil before we step into that dark arena might just keep us from causing a brother or sister to stumble, not to mention ourselves. Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, comes with Christian maturity. Christians who are mature in their walk with Jesus will do anything to avoid the appearance of evil; no one wants to knowingly lead another astray.

As believers who have been born again, born of God, and since He owns us and paid a heavy price, then we should do everything possible to keep from associating with even the tiniest fragment of evil.
It should be our privilege and honor to lead others into the light of Jesus while we ourselves abstaining from all appearances of evil in our own life.

Conforming to the world is a trap that many Christians have fallen into. Some of whom have knowingly, and willingly conformed their bodies into the exact image and lifestyle which they were brought out of. Instead of separating self from the world they've joined the ranks of those who are worldly. Certainly this is the appearance of evil.

When believers get caught up with the cares of the world they lose their focus and begin to put on the world. Many think that they can put themselves on the same level or playing field with those they are witnessing to. Some Christians have this false assumption that if they take on a similar look as those who are lost their witnessing will be more productive. This is a huge error. We're not taught in the scriptures to conform to the world in order to be a better witness Romans 12:2."And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

To abstain from appearance of evil means just that. If believers become so intertwined, that they are no different from the lost, the lost can have a devastating effect on the saved. They may very well bring you down to a level that will be difficult, to separate from.

2 Corinthians 6:14. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
If we follow Paul's admonition, then we will find it much easier to abstain from any appearance of evil.

by **Jeani** » 07 Sep 2009, 19:07

I'm seeing more 'evil' in our country than any time in my life.

Our government is evil,and man is becoming more evil.

Sounds like the 'Last Days' before the Lord comes for His bride.

by **januarie** » 08 Sep 2009, 05:40

To abstain from appearance of evil means just that. If believers become so intertwined, that they are no different from the lost, the lost can have a devastating effect on the saved. They may very well bring you down to a level that will be difficult, to separate from. How can we be His light to the lost if we are stepping back and forth in and out of darkness?

Chilling.

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Abstaining from the apperance of evil.

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