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THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL. I Thessalonians 5:22. 12/12/21. #20.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 [New King James Version]
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
- The forms of evil
- This is an obvious admonition
- Forms of evil are to be avoided
- Obvious forms of evil are recognized: lying, murder, hatred, thievery, adultery, gluttony, gossip, slander, fornication, jealousy, profanity
- Forms of evil are to be avoided
- It is an obvious command to abstain (to hold oneself back from) doing evil
- Believers are to live pure lives before the Lord
- Christians should be known for holy living
- Believers are to live pure lives before the Lord
- This is an obvious admonition
- A word with a deeper meaning
- The word used for form in the Greek goes deeper than just a kind or class of recognized evil (blasphemy, immorality, lying, cheating…)
- Five common Greek words translated “form”:
- Schema (we obtain our words scheme, schematic, and scheming from this word) – a design, a planned approach, or purposeful intend (thus, something that is evil by nature)
- Morphe (as in morphology, metamorphosis) – the form of something; it’s shape and nature
- Eidos (we obtain our word eye from it) – that which is perceived or appears
- Tupos (our words, topology, topographical) – an outline of something
- Hupotuposis – a pattern or sketch
- Five common Greek words translated “form”:
- Schema is commonly used to express a purposeful intent or plan
- Philippians 2:8 Jesus was found in the appearance (fashion, form) of a man
- I Corinthians 7:31 …the form of this world is passing…
- Philippians 2:8 Jesus was found in the appearance (fashion, form) of a man
- Morphe is used of a complete rendering or pattern
- Galatians 4:19 …until Christ is fully formed in you
- II Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but deny its power…
- Galatians 4:19 …until Christ is fully formed in you
- The word used for form in the Greek goes deeper than just a kind or class of recognized evil (blasphemy, immorality, lying, cheating…)
- Beyond the form
- The word used for form in this passage is Eidos
- Not only are we to stay away from that which is evil, but that which even looks like evil to others
- a2. Avoiding compromising appearances
- Not only are we to stay away from that which is evil, but that which even looks like evil to others
- Eidos is used only three other times in the New Testament:
- Luke 3:22 the Holy Spirit came in form of a dove
- John 5:37 no man has seen the form of God
- II Corinthians 5:7 we walk by faith, not sight
- Luke 3:22 the Holy Spirit came in form of a dove
- Appearances of evil can be many things:
- II Corinthians 6:14-18 keeping bad company
- Romans 14-15 offending a weaker brother by insisting on using our liberty in Christ
- A man helping a widow by fixing things in her house, but he is alone with her
- Listening to gossip
- The office Christmas party where drunkenness is common
- Laughing at crude jokes 0
- Becoming embroiled in a senseless argument
- Counseling someone of the opposite sex
- II Corinthians 6:14-18 keeping bad company
- Appearances of evil are hard to avoid, especially when dealing with unsaved family members
- In every way possible we need to avoid compromising and questionable situations
- There a many places of pitfalls: fraternities, sororities, parties, clubs, hotels with casinos…
- In every way possible we need to avoid compromising and questionable situations
- It is easy to get caught off guard (Joseph and Mrs. Potiphar)
- II Timothy 2:20-26 – being on guard means continuing to cleanse self of impurity so we can discern and act properly
- We need to stay away from the edges of impropriety
- When in doubt, leave it out
- The word used for form in this passage is Eidos
Key Verse: 2 Timothy 2:20-2620 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.