1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Abstain from [and avoid] every kind of evil [even the very appearance of it].
One of the most important principles of life and ministry is the necessity of abstaining from all appearance of evil. Think about it! How many people do you know, who did something they thought was all right to do – but other people misinterpreted it and it stained their reputation?
Think about these questions:
- How much is your reputation worth to you?
- How much is the reputation of the Holy One you represent worth to you?
If you want to maintain a good testimony of Jesus, you must refrain from any action, language, or situation that has the appearance of evil. This is not a suggestion – it is a commandment from God found in 1 Thessalonians 5:22. Even if you know that you yourself are doing nothing wrong, the fact remains that people don’t see your heart – they see your actions. If they see you doing something that appears immoral or unethical, you will likely be judged by what they observe and they will use your misdeeds to discredit the power of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Think about the fact that your actions either lead them to or away from, our loving Heavenly Father. Read Romans 14:21, 1 Corinthians 8:13 and Matthew 18:7 to see other examples.
PRAYER:
Lord God, today I have a new and more complete realization of the impact that my actions can have on Christ’s reputation and how this affects other people. Father, help me and put safeguards in my life that will make me abstain from all appearances of evil from this point forward. Lord, guard my actions, guard my conversations, guard what I watch and listen to, and help me avoid compromising situations. Lord, give me the gift to discern good from evil. Help me distinguish between what is of the devil and what is of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.