Category: spiritual growth and maturity

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV).

Could we follow today’s Scripture to prevent the founding of another false religious system? (Yes!)

Notice this large excerpt from 1 Corinthians chapter 10: “[19] What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? [20] But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. [21] Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils. [22] Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

“[23] All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. [24] Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth. [25] Whatsoever is sold in the shambles [marketplace], that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: [26] For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. [27] If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. [28] But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: [29] Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? [30] For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? [31] Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. [32] Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: [33] Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”

Though we are free in Christ, our liberty is not for selfishness. While the activity may not be sin, we should abstain from even an appearance of evil….

Monday, May 8, 2023

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV).

Could we follow today’s Scripture to prevent the founding of another false religious system? (Yes!)

Re-read 1 Corinthians chapter 8. Should believers eat foods offered to idols? As part of their worship services, heathen (lost) Gentiles consumed food that had first been sacrificed in temples. Though idols cannot contaminate the meat, and eating the meat is not equivalent to idol worship, some Christians had great difficulty distinguishing the two. To these spiritually immature souls, eating such sacrifices was idolatry, an evil activity to be avoided at all costs.

Hence, Paul deemed it best to take the following approach: “[10] For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; [11] And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? [12] But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. [13] Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend [stumble], I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.”

The subject is also discussed considerably in Romans 14:1-23 (which read in full, describing how weak Christians chose to eat just vegetables so as to eliminate all possibility of eating meat offered to idols). Highlights include: “[13] Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. [14] I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. [15] But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.”

While Paul (and other mature Christians) knew the idols had not tainted the food, and while Paul knew eating such food did not constitute idolatry, for the weaker Christian’s sake he would prefer not to eat—thereby not sidestepping merely evil but abstaining from even the appearance of evil (today’s Scripture). Again, this is adult Christian thinking….

Sunday, May 7, 2023

“Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV).

Could we follow today’s Scripture to prevent the founding of another false religious system? (Yes!)

Frequently, Christians have questions about precisely what conduct is and is not acceptable before the Lord. These matters are not easily resolved—or the wrong decisions are made—because even a rudimentary understanding of grace living is lacking. Nonetheless, if we are mature Bible students, it will not be difficult to choose the best alternative.

As a simple illustration, consider the situation of 1 Corinthians chapter 8: “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”

It is here that we use extreme caution concerning such “questionable” behavior. If it is not evil, but it still resembles evil, the general rule of thumb is do not do it! Here is just basic sanctified common sense, fundamental grace living, settling issues about which we would otherwise wonder endlessly….