One time when I was a teen, I was standing with a couple of my friends at church, just hanging out after service. An adult walked by us with a brown paper bag that obviously contained a glass bottle...and, if you're aware of how liquor is usually packaged to-go, you would know why this sight obviously caused us all to do a double-take. Thankfully the adult assured us that it was just soda, but one of my guy friends piped up - "but....'abstain from all appearance of evil'!!!!"
He was exactly right. Sometimes we wonder, "is this really wrong to do? Why is it SUCH a big deal?" It's easy to get caught up in all the reasons that something is "no big deal". However, that simple verse covers the bases --- because God uses the word "all".
What are some other examples?
...when that Christian song's music sounds no different than a worldly song's music.
...riding alone in a car with a guy.
...being in a room alone with a guy.
...hanging out with people who are known for habitually doing wrong things.
...sitting in a way that makes guys look twice at you.
...pretending to cheat on a test just to make your friends snicker.
"Abstain from all appearance of evil." ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:22
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Bible Reading: Proverbs 17, Ephesians 1
Very good examples, Mrs. Lois. It's not only the wrong that we are to abstain from; but the very appearance of wrongdoing, as well.
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