Scripture | 1 Thessalonians 5:16–22 Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophecies, but examine all things; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.
Observation | We now arrive at the last of our six imperatives, “abstain from every form of evil.” First, let’s learn what we are to abstain from. The original word for “evil” is ponēros (πονηρός). The Lexham Theological Wordbook says ponēros can mean physical harm or pain, but most often it refers to an individual or an act that is morally wrong. In this way, immorality is paralleled with what hurts us, and sometimes will even be translated sickness and disease.
So too, all of humanity is bound to the curse and the disease of sin, which only Jesus Christ can cure us of and set us free from through faith and repentance in Him (Lk 5:31–32). Now that we are cured and freed, we learn in 1 Thessalonians 5:22 that we are to abstain from all forms of the disease we have been released from (2 Pt 2:22). For a true believer, to engage in sin is as backwards and foolish as a healed man to return to exposing himself to his old disease again. So, we are commanded to “abstain from every form of” what is morally wrong. An important side note however, is that we must define what is morally wrong by the authority and sufficiency of God’s Word alone, and by no man.
Second, let us learn that God commands us to “abstain from EVERY form of evil.” Every, is all inclusive. No form of immorality is acceptable for those who truly believe. All of everything that is forbidden by God, and all of everything that is outside of the will of God is to be abstained from. Think the reasoning of this through, all forms of evil lead off of the ancient and narrow way of God. All sin is eternally dangerous in this way (Mt 18:8–9). Although we know in this life we can never do this perfectly we make it our ambition to abstain more and more as we grow in holy sanctification for God’s glory (2 Cor 5:9–10; Phil 3:12–14).
Third, we learn from 1 Thess. 5:22 that a true believer is commanded to “abstain,” or literally to “hold back,” from every form of evil. The meaning of this word “abstain” can also be to “keep off” or “be distant” from. The meaning of “abstain” here takes us further way from evil then God simply commanding us to refrain from what is outside of His holy will. In other words, “abstain from every form of evil” does not mean only “refrain yourself from sin” but “distance yourself from sin.” In this literal understanding of “abstain” we can see the biblical call for the true believer to blamelessness (2 Pt 3:14; Jude 24; Rev 14:5) and avoiding the path of temptation (Matt 6:13; Psalm 1; Prov. 5:8; 6:27–28; 7:25; 2 Tim 2:22; Rev 18:4). Here is what is called the doctrine of separation for the true believer, which has been argued against and misunderstood by many who claim the name of Christ.
Yet, no one can change the truth of the meaning of “abstain from every form of evil.” The true believer is to keep himself separate from temptation, sin and the ways of evil in this world. That is God’s command. That is what it means to abstain, and it is applied to “every form” of what is morally wrong.
Even so, I have heard a number of modern preachers and teachers soften the correcting truth of this command by the use of human logic. Something like this is said; “This cannot mean we abstain from every form of evil, for that is impossible, even for the believer. God wouldn’t command what is impossible. So, this really means we are to be cautious of sin.” In response I ask, where does the doctrine come from that God doesn’t command the impossible? Scripture or man’s logic? Why wouldn’t God command us to obey what He is working in us, even if we cannot do it perfectly (See Phil 2:13)? Further, what is done to the Word of God by such argument, are these “preachers” not nullifying and twisting God’s Word like the devil did in the garden? The result of such human perspective and arguments like these is that the church leads sinners to be less offended by God’s holy command and more comfortable in their living in a way that is offensive to Him.
While we have studied the negative so far, let us now end our study of these six imperatives with the positive, “hold fast to that which is good (1 Thess 5:21).” On the other side of the coin from distancing ourselves from every form of immorality, we are commanded to cling to the things that God has appraised. Like a child holding fast to their Father, we hold fast to the things that bless and glorify our Father in heaven. “Hold fast” is the word “katechō” in the original Greek. Literally katechō means “to hold down.” It is set up as the antithesis (opposite) of what it means to “abstain” or “distance from” in verse 22. We hold down the good that glorifies God in our lives and we get away from whatever does not.
The two sides of the coin of this command is the ethic the true believer loves and lives out in all his life. All that is not morally affirmed by scripture must be avoided and distanced from. All that is morally appraised must be embraced. The true believer does not find such a command a burden, but the desire of his heart out of a love for his Savior and Master Jesus Christ (John 14:15, 15:10; 1 John 2:3–5; 3:22).
Application | 1 Thess 5:21-22 “hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.”
What am I doing, or not doing that I biblically need to distance myself from according to God’s command? What am I doing, or not doing that I need to cling to and make concrete in my life? What is keeping me from obeying the one who Has purchased me with His own blood? How will I remove all stumbling blocks? Remember, “you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 6:20
Prayer | Father, in my sinful nature I am bent to make what is morally clear, unclear and what is morally unacceptable more acceptable. I repent of such lukewarm approach to You and Your Word. Through the Holy Scriptures give me eyes to see sin and what is evil in Your sight as repulsive and offensive. That every form of evil would repel me and cause me to distance myself. Also give me a love for what You love, holiness, righteousness, selflessness, joy, peace, patience and things appraised by Your Word. That I would cling to them by the power and working of Your Spirit through Your Word. For Your glory alone. Amen.
