Overcoming All Appearance of Evil -- Rev. ARNOLD N. VALLEJO (August 7, 2016 PM)

August 7, 2016|Sunday Afternoon Service
Overcoming all appearance of evil | By Rev. ARNOLD N. VALLEJO
1 Thessalonians 5:22, "Abstain from all appearance of evil."

Introduction:
In this account, Paul was actually warning the good and wise Christians. He was not talking to those negligent and slack ones. Rather, his audience were the most devoted Christians. 1 Thessalonians 1:9 describes the Thessalonian Christians as those who have firm conviction to turn “to God from idols to serve the living and true God;” Besides, they were those who have good and proper response of the Word. Apostle Paul commends them saying, “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13). Further, Apostle Paul regards them as his comfort and encouragement – “…we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith: For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.”

Why did Apostle Paul warn these good Christians with such reproving words? First, it is because the wise who have been reproved will become wiser. According to Daniel 2:21, God “…giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:” Second, Paul emphasized this caution to the wise because God’s main desire for us is to be holy. 1 Thessalonians 4:7 reads, “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.” How can we then abstain to all appearance of evil?

1. Study
1 Corinthians 2:13 commands us to compare “spiritual things with spiritual.” In other words, study! We have to study the Word of God. It is not a mere word of man. 2 Peter 1:21 says, “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” Therefore, spend time to study! When listening to preaching, writng the words is a MUST. By doing this, we will be able to uphold the truth, and nothing but the truth. Most importantly, studying the Word would protect us from getting swayed with the lies of the world.
2. Be watchful
1 Thessalonians 5:6 further commands us, “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” Why? Proverbs 6:10-11 show the answer – it brings nothing but poverty. It reads, “Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: (11) So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.” Spiritually speaking, people who are slack and negligent in their Christian life go doomed to poverty of the Word of God. Hence, Apostle Paul commands us to be watchful in all things.
3. Take comfort from Christ’s coming
Finally, 1 Thessalonians 4:18 instructs us to “…comfort one another with these words.” This refers to Christ’s imminent coming. Many Christians have been swayed because they forget of our eternity with Christ. Christians, keep in this truth in heart: Christ is coming very soon! 1 Thessalonians 5:2 says He will “cometh as a thief in the night.” Therefore, do not lose hope. Every struggle here on earth won’t last long. It all would soon come to an end.

May God find us victorious over the appearance of evil. Our victory rests on our attitude in studying God’s Word, vigilance and soberness in God’s service, and hopefulness to Christ’s imminent coming.