Actscelerate.com

How does the Bible describe evil?

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1050 **8/20/16 7:02 am**

We live in a day where everything is acceptable to almost everyone, no matter how repulsive it is.

If I could get a little help on two things from the following verse 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. (KJV)

First, what is the biblical definition of appearance? Dictionary.com describes appearance as; the act or fact of appearing, as to the eye or mind or before the public, the state, condition, manner, or style in which a person or object appears; outward look or aspect:

Second, what is the biblical definition of evil? Dictionary.com describes evil as; morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked: that which is evil; evil quality, intention, or conduct: the force in nature that governs and gives rise to wickedness and sin.

appearance

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 14803 **8/20/16 10:41 am**

First, I will address the word "appearance."
I think Pentecostals have misinterpreted the verse to mean you are not allowed to do anything that could be mistaken for another action if the other action was evil. I think a better understanding would be that no matter what "appearance" or "form" evil takes, abstain from it in every situation.
Some versions render the verse this way:
22 Abstain from every form of evil. (NKJV and ESV)
22 reject every kind of evil. (NIV)

That brings us to what forms of evil there are. Jesus said the law and commandments are formed by the 2 basic principles of loving God and loving your neighbor as yourself. What is not fulfilling those 2 principles is evil. That is just my two cents' worth for now. (I may add more later.)

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **8/20/16 1:45 pm**

While it is obviously true that Christians surely ought to aim to avoid every kind of evil in general as much as they are able, the context seems to me to indicate that this directive refers specifically to discernment of prophecies.

19 Do not quench the Spirit.
20 Do not despise prophecies,
21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.
22 Abstain from every form of evil. ESV

Acts Enthusiast Posts: 1050 **8/21/16 5:13 am**

Acts-dicted Posts: 9027 **8/21/16 5:29 am**

As in 1 Thess 5:22, it is translated from the Greek word "poneros" (poneros).

1. Full of labors, annoyances.

It is the restlessness that comes from not understanding the love and provision God freely gives us. It is the toil, sweat, and hardship Adam chose to know in the Garden by picking up the measuring rod of the knowledge Good and Evil and becoming a judge of evil things.

Jesus gives us rest.
_________________
I'm not saved because I'm good. I'm saved because He's good!

My website: www.bradfreeman.com
My blog: http://bradcfreeman.tumblr.com/

[Insert Acts Pun Here] Posts: 12817 **8/21/16 7:38 am**