In saying “abstain from every form of evil,” the Apostle declares that believers cannot be selective when it comes to what evil is to be shunned: we are called to keep our distance from wickedness of any and all sorts. This includes of course those sins that are blatant and visible, but also those that are inconspicuous to the eyes of others too. As our Lord teaches, “evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7:23).

Biblically speaking, “abstinence” is not limited to avoiding only one sort of corrupt practice, but involves renouncing ungodliness in all the shapes and sizes it takes (cf., Titus 2:12). Whenever and wherever wickedness may meet us, we are to distance ourselves from it. As the Apostle Paul writes, “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). Let’s unpack this for a moment.

The ESV translation I believe is right to use “form” rather than “appearance” (e.g., KJV) here. The reason for this is that Paul is referring to actual manifestation of evil, rather than seeming or perceived associations with corrupt practices. This is important, because some have taken this verse to teach that Christians are forbidden from engaging in any activity that might be construed by someone else (including a fellow believer) as “looking suspicious.”

If we followed this interpretation, then before undertaking any action, one would have to ask herself, “Will anyone potentially believe I am doing something unseemly or wrong here?” Instead of being captive to God’s word alone, a believer’s conscience would then be subject to the watching gaze of a thousand scrutinizing eyes. Such analysis would easily and perhaps inevitably lead to paralysis: we would be submitting our behavior not only to the interpretation of others, but even having to take into account their prospective misinterpretation and misjudgment as well.

Yes, we should exercise a discerning kind of sensitivity in relation to our brothers and sisters, to take care not to run roughshod over their consciences (cf., 1 Cor. 8:7-12). But at the same time, our conduct is not to be determined along the lines of a daily straw poll: “Hi everyone, what would you think if I did this?” If this were the case, then at the end of the day “evil” would be defined as “socially unacceptable” – what is awkward would be the only thing left to avoid. Culturally speaking, this is arguably the only remaining wall (paper?) separating virtue from vice. Saints are called ultimately however to live before the “audience of One” – God alone, whose Law is the only line demarcating good from evil.

But we cannot stop at eschewing what the text does not say: we must go on to follow what it does say, and what it signifies for us. In saying “abstain from every form of evil,” the Apostle declares that believers cannot be selective when it comes to what evil is to be shunned: we are called to keep our distance from wickedness of any and all sorts. This includes of course those sins that are blatant and visible, but also those that are inconspicuous to the eyes of others too. As our Lord teaches, “evil things come from within, and they defile a person” (Mark 7:23). The child of God cannot choose only to flee from the cases of corruption which are most patently flaunted in the world (such as sexual licentiousness, gluttony, and insubordination) while at the same time making peace with others (such as bitterness, vanity, and covetousness).

Purity extends to everything in our Christian lives, and thus we are to be about un-clinging ourselves from the sin that “clings so closely.” What wonderful grace is given to us by our Father, that in Jesus we have the forgiveness that cleanses from all unrighteousness, and the enabling power to fight against all the variegated forms of evil! “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:3).

Ken Montgomery is a minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and is Associate Pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Dayton, Ohio.