“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
–1THESSALONIANS 5:22
First Thessalonians 5:22 commands believers to ‘abstain from all appearance of evil.’
But abstaining from all appearance of evil will be a tall order if one does not know what the appearance of evil looks like.
A lot of people believe they can recognize wickedness and evil–but in the times in which we now live, evil and wickedness are packaged to look very nonthreatening, very vanilla, very much like what many might expect something GOOD to look like.
So many expect evil to come dressed all in black, with a deep, threatening voice and perhaps twirling a handlebar mustache.
BUT, evil and wickedness have learned a thing or two over the years and one of the things they have learned is that more people can be hoodwinked with a hearty handshake and a smile than with a scary look.
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This is all said in order to warn the reader that, during the end times, there will much that is evil and wicked in the sight of God which will be presented as something other than what it is.
EVIL will speak in a cheery voice and promise fun and adventure.
WHAT IS BAD will often wear the clothing of liberty and freedom.
“Come on! Don’t you want to be free?”
WICKEDNESS will solemnly assure all who will listen that the broad way to destruction is the only way for sensible folks.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
–Matthew 7:13-14
During the end times, much that is evil will be called good–and because man has broken free of God’s Word, he will have nothing to guide him as to what is really evil and bad and what is really good.
Oh, there will be no end to the number of those who will “assist” the reader in determining what is good and what is bad. The “assistance” of such folk usually tend to be confusing at best.
Yes, there will be MUCH which is evil and wicked (just as there is at present) which will make a presentation to the reader of being good and sweetness and light–and many such presentations will be made by those who have earned the prestige and acclaim of the world: scientists, doctors, professionals, educations, “geniuses,” government officials and the rich and celebrated, to name a few.
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! “
–Isaiah 5:20-21
The reader is told to abstain from all APPEARANCE OF EVIL.
The reader–like most–probably feels he knows the difference between good and evil. So, the reader most probably feels he can abstain from the appearance of evil–as long as such abstention doesn’t interfere with a good time OR IF it is within reason OR any other number of reasons men use to evade the truth.
During the end times–EVEN WITH ALL OF THE “OUTS” MEN LEAVE THEMSELVES–evil will STILL not make it very easy on the reader to recognize it.
Look at the action or behavior; NOT at the presentation of WHY such a behavior which was considered EVIL for years is NOW considered to be good.
So this is the warning: Consider EVERYTHING carefully as to whether something may be good or evil.
REMEMBER: If one does not know what is good and what is evil, one cannot abstain from the appearance of evil.
MORE: Promoting Bad Habits: Calling Good Evil and Evil Good
DOES the reader feel he is qualified to tell good and evil apart?
WHY does the reader believe the way he does?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith (hope) for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Eternal Salvation Through Jesus Christ: Salvation Messages from End Times Prophecy Report
[Portions of this piece appeared originally in End Times Prophecy Headlines: August 7-9, 2020.]
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
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