Final Instructions: Cling to What is Good, Abstain from Evil

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Theme: Evil is to actively avoided. Good is to be actively sought after.

When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, one of the supplications was deliver us from evil. More literally, the request is, deliver us from the evil one. Evil is real and a clear and present danger for the Christian. We are to pray for deliverance from it. Here in 1 Thessalonians, Paul enjoins these believers to cling to that which is good, and to abstain from that which is evil. For that to take place, we need a knowledge of good and evil. As Christians, we believe that God gets to decide which is which ... not the current cultural disposition.

I. THE NATURE OF EVIL

1. in western culture the nature of evil has been a hotly debated issue

a. the question is this: Is evil objectively real, or is it merely a socially constructed consensus of “bad” and “good”?

b. this debate revolves around the philosophy of metaphysics — the study of what is true, and how do we know that it is true?

A. THE SECULAR VIEW: EVIL IS SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED

1. simply put, a socially constructed idea is an idea whereby the broader society has reached a consensus over what is good or bad or what is true or false

a. there are beliefs in every culture that certainly are an agreed upon social truth

1) some things are true because we’ve all agreed they are true

2) there is no scientific validity or historical veracity behind some things we are convinced are true

ILLUS. For example, the idea that the color pink represents a baby girl and the color blue represents a baby boy is an example of a social construct related to gender. If you went to a gender reveal party in our culture and when the balloons were popped green confetti streamed out, no one would have a clue what that meant.

How we greet people is another example of socially agreed upon behavior. In most western cultures we shake hands. In many eastern cultures kissing people on both cheeks as a greeting is a common practice. In America, if you showed up to a business meeting and kissed the chairman of the board, you might get punched.

Some socially constructed truths can be mean and vicious such as “all blonds are dumb” or “all Jews are shrewd businessmen,” or “all Hispanics are lazy.”

1) so yes, some ideas in a culture are commonly believed as “true” because the majority “wisdom” of the culture says those ideas are true

2. a society errors greatly when it believes that all of reality is simply socially constructed truth and then proceeds to deny ontological truth

ILLUS. Ontological truth is what theologian and philosopher Francis Schaeffer referred to as “true truth.” Some things are true simply because they are objectively real or objectively true. Gravity is real; 2+2=4 is true. These are true, not because our society has agreed that they are, but because they are objectively and universally true. You may decide that gravity is illusionary, but when you jump off the roof, you’ll discover it doesn’t matter that you believe gravity is just a state of mind! It’s a state of reality, and you’re going down!

a. whereas metaphysics deals with “How do we know when something is true verses what is false; what is good verse what is evil?”, ontology deals with “How do we know what is real?”

b. there is great danger ahead for any culture that begins to think that things that are verifiably true, objectively true at face value are determined to be true simply because we believe it to be truth

ILLUS. Rachel Dolezal identified as a black woman for years. She even briefly served as president of the NAACP chapter in Spokane, Washington. She was fired when it was revealed that she was white. Rachel Dolezal can self-identify as a black women all she wants. That does not change the “true truth” that she is ethnically white even though her socially constructed truth is that she is “black.” The ontological truth is that she is a white woman masquerading as a black woman because that’s “her truth”. University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas can self-identify as a woman all she wants. That does not change the “true truth” that he was born William Thomas even though his socially constructed truth is that he is female. The ontological truth is that he is a man masquerading as a woman.

1) there was a time in Western culture when such individuals would have been treated for substantial psychological issues

2) but since we live in a culture where truth is simply a culturally negotiated consensus, we’ve reached a point where “my truth is my truth and you have no right to deny my truth, and if you deny my truth, you’re the one who can’t deal with “reality””

3) our culture has not evolved ... it has devolved into the radical self-autonomy described in the Book of Judges — “Everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges(21:25)

3. over the last fifty years a significant number of Neuroscientists, Psychologists, and Sociologists have suggested that evil — like truth — is socially constructed

a. objective evil does not exist; evil is only what a society agrees it is — good and bad are only real to the extent that we agree upon them and make them real

1) in fact, many social relativists don’t even like using the word evil — if we are just accidental beings in an accidental universe, nothing can really be evil

2) evil is a theological word, and to use the word evil points to a moral authority greater than we are — a transcendent and supernatural moral authority: God

3) moral relativists are simply not prepared to go there

b. now, almost anyone who thinks rationally can understand the peril in socially constructed evil — societies change and because societies change socially constructed views of right and wrong and good and evil, and true and false will change with the culture

1) what was considered “evil” a generation or two ago is now considered “good” and vice-versa

ILLUS. Throughout the history of Western culture, virtually every society believed abortion to be a moral evil. Understandably, the spread of Christianity, with it’s high view of life, was the principle source of that view. Only since the mid-twentieth century, and the waning of Christianity, did western societies begin to change their opinion about abortion. It’s no longer about the “life of the baby” but the “freedom of the woman” to not be pregnant that predominates a secular worldview. If “evil” is socially constructed and not biblically revealed than, of course, abortion can actually be considered a “moral good” and is by a growing segment of the culture. This is revealed in such websites as “Shout Your Abortion” where a woman can go and explain to the world why killing the child in her womb is “good”.

2) what was considered “false” a generation or two ago is now considered “true”

ILLUS. Not long ago every rational person in the world would have agreed, “No, men cannot get pregnant.” Well, we’ve thrown that “truth” out the window. In 2019 NBC News, aired a segment with the headline, "Trans dads tell doctors: 'You can be a man have a baby.'" NBC reporter Julie Compton covered the story of a transgender man married to a transgender woman who wanted children. According to the reporter, the “husband” was the one who got pregnant. So you see, in this brave new world of socially constructed truth, men really can have babies. (In case you don’t know ... no, men cannot get pregnant, I don’t care what the new Apple emoji shows).

4. when virtually an entire culture decides that it gets to decide what is “good” and what is “evil” don’t be surprised when evil is “dumbed-down” so-to-speak and begins to flourish

a. America is increasingly becoming a culture of broken families, broken spirits, broken health, broken schools, broken lives, and broken politics because the powers-that-be have decided that what was once unacceptable is now acceptable, what was once considered “evil” is now considered “good” and what was once considered “false” is now considered “real”

B. THE BIBLICAL VIEW: EVIL IS OBJECTIVELY REAL

1. why do you do what is right, rather than what is wrong?

a. the educated secular elite tell us that moral truth is socially constructed — men get to decide what is morally evil and what is not, what is “bad” and what is “good”

2. as Christians, we know — or we should know — that it’s God who gets to make those decisions

a. objective evil exists, and God has put within our spirits a knowledge of good and evil

ILLUS. God gave his people Israel an extensive set of moral, civil and religious laws so that they might know good from evil, right from wrong, and righteous from unrighteous. In his letter to the Romans, Paul asserts that even though the Gentiles don’t have the Law, they instinctively know good from evil, right from wrong, and righteous from unrighteous. Why?

“For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them” (Romans 2:14–15, ESV)

1) Paul is clearly teaching that objective goodness and objective evil exist side-by-side in the world, and men know the difference (even though that knowledge is tainted by sin) because God’s image in all men prick their conscience to know these things

2) the reason “good” and “bad” have been turned upside down is also biblically explained — according to Romans 1:18 men have become experts at suppressing the truth in unrighteousness

b. when we observe the world around us, we realize that there are many things about the world that should not be, things that are wrong as well as things that should be, things that are good

1) when we see a child sexually abused, we immediately know that it is evil; we know it is wrong, that such behavior is hurtful to the child and detrimental to society

2) when we see a man and a women unite in the covenant of marriage, and raise their children to be good and productive citizens, we immediately know that is good, that such behavior is profitable to husband, wife, and child, and beneficial to society

3) this is what Paul means when he writes hold fast what is good, and abstain from every form of evil

3. as Christians, we know — or we should know — that objective evil is always the result of sin

a. sin, simply put, is the unwillingness of man to acknowledge his creatureliness and dependence upon God and his effort to make his own life independent and secure

b. only the Christian worldview, based in the Bible, can explain why moral evil exists

1) the theological word is depravity — it describes the innate corruption of human nature, due to original sin

2) the doctrine of depravity does not mean that every human being is as sinful as they possibly could be

3) the doctrine of depravity does mean that everyone comes into the world with an inborn moral corruption, that affects every facet of human nature

a) if human depravity is not controlled by social mores, or law, or moral upbringing, or — for believers a new nature that come with the new birth — depravity means that men are capable of unspeakable evil

c. only the biblical worldview explains why sinful humanity commits such horrible moral wrongs

ILLUS. Since the mass-shooting two weeks ago in a Uvalde, TX grade school, I’ve read that guns were to blame, that illegal immigration was to blame, that inept policing was to blame, that irresponsible parenting was to blame, and that spineless politicians failure to pass meaningful gun control were to blame. A few days ago, Washington Post columnist Christine Emba wrote that “You are to blame.” Whose the “you?” Americans who are “gun-obsessed” “constitutional absolutists” are to blame. Most reporting has refused to deal with a more immutable problem — all men are sinners, and sin causes some men to commit horribly evil acts.

d. the Christian worldview also promises that God will bring His own final act of moral judgment upon all who have rejected Him

4. the Gospel of Christ points us to the only way of rescue from the fact of our own evil and guilt

a. so, as Christians, how do we put our knowledge of good and evil into practice?

II. REFUSE TO BECOME INVOLVED IN EVIL ANYWHERE YOU FIND IT

1. the word abstain in this verse is one of the most forceful verbs there is in the original language of the Bible and mean to hold yourself back from something

a. the verb’s tense is a present imperative which means we are to constantly hold yourself back from evil

1) as Christians we are to constantly be on guard against our own evil behavior, as well as the evil behavior of others, and refuse to participate in it

2) doing so requires a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures because it’s in the Bible where God clearly communicates what is righteous and what is unrighteous behavior

3) the Church does not have the right to conclude, “Oh, this behavior was unrighteous once, but society has matured since New Testament days so we don’t have to obey those commands any longer. Besides, if we do, it’ll drive people away from the church.”

a) well ... if Biblical truth drives people away from the church, so be it!

2. we must refuse to become involved in evil for three reasons

a. 1st, We Have Our Own Christian Honor to Uphold

1) Christians are a righteous people because God has gone to great expense to make us righteous

2) if we are righteous — and we are — then we must play the part and let our righteousness be obvious to all

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, ESV)

b. 2nd, We Have the Church’s Honor to Uphold

1) our actions as a Christian must never bring reproach upon the Body of Christ

“to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:21, ESV)

ILLUS. In his first letter to the believers at Corinth, the Apostle Paul harshly criticizes the Christians in that church for giving the church a bad name because of their divisions, and sinful behavior. He writes: For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. (1 Corinthians 11:18, KJV)

c. 3rd, We Have Our God’s Glory to Uphold

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,” (1 Corinthians 10:31–32, ESV)

1) God’s glory is very important to Him

2) anything that diminishes that glory in the eyes of the world is offensive to Him

3) as believers, we must uphold the glory of God by our constant pursuit of righteous living

A. BELIEVERS MUST NOT GIVE EVIL A FOOTHOLD IN THEIR LIVES

ILLUS. As I studied this week, I was reminded of a recurring theme within that timeless story Lord of the Rings, a story that most people are now familiar with. The genial Hobit, Frodo Baggins, has been bequeathed a ring of immense power. Though at first he does not realize it, this ring is actually a source of incredible evil. It contains within it the wrath, fury and evil of the sorcerer Sauron, who represents the source of evil within Middle Earth. As the story progresses, we see that Frodo has begun to fall under the ring’s power. The ring has a kind of mind of its own and desires to return to its master. As Sauron’s minions search for this ring, Frodo finds himself drawn to them. The ring, which he wears on a chain around his neck, pulls him towards the power of evil. This evil ring around his neck, desires to return to its wicked master.

1. the glorious good news for the believer is that God, in Christ, has given us a new nature — what Paul calls the new man

a. but the old nature, our fallen nature remains a part of us and must be daily crucified if we are to live righteously

2. in Tolkien’s story the ring Frodo carries represents our old nature — forever trying to regain mastery of our lives

a. in Jeremiah 17:9 it says, “the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?”

b. the sin nature within me is crying out, pulling me, encouraging me to return to its original master

c. anyone who denies that he has these sinful inclinations is in defiance of the obvious

3. thankfully God, in His great wisdom, has placed within me His Spirit who graciously allows me to see this evil, to hate it, and ultimately to avoid it

III. HOW DO WE AVOID EVIL?

1. that’s a good question, after all evil is all around us

2. let me offer some suggestions

A. BY TAKING SOME ALONE TIME WITH GOD

1. first and foremost, remember that God is always with you

a. take some alone time with God — sit with Scripture, go for a walk through the trees or by the water, find a quiet spot that can help you get in tune with God

2. talk to Father Who loves you, Who will forgive you, Who will cleanse you, and Who will strengthen you

B. BY FLEEING TEMPTATION

1. sometimes our very best option is to simply run away from a temptation that we know will lead to evil behavior

“The prudent sees the evil and hides himself, ... “ (Proverbs 22:3, NASB95)

ILLUS. If we are outside when a lightning storm begins, the prudent action is to seek shelter — because we foresee the potential danger of being struck by lightning. But those who ignore danger run the risk of getting hurt.

ILLUS. Our best illustration is found in the life of a Hebrew man named Joseph. He’s a young man — the first of the two sons of Jacob and Rachel — who finds himself a slave in Egypt. Ultimately, Joseph was sold to Potiphar, the captain of Pharaoh's guard (Genesis 37:36, Genesis 39:1). Later, Joseph became Potiphar's personal servant, and subsequently his household's superintendent. In time, Potiphar's wife tried to seduce Joseph, which he refused. He fled, literally leaving his cloak in her hands.

C. BY REFUSING TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES INITIATED BY OTHER PEOPLE WHICH MAY LEAD US INTO EVIL

1. this may mean severing relationships with people who tend to lead us astray

“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”” (1 Corinthians 15:33, ESV)

D. BY PURSUING THOSE THINGS THAT ARE GOOD AND RIGHTEOUS

ILLUS. I don’t regularly find myself quoting the Bishop of Rome, but sometimes even Pope Francis gets it right. In 2018 he wrote, “To renounce evil means to say "no" to temptations, to sin, to Satan,” But, he also went on to write “It is not enough to merely not do evil. Many times I hear some who says: "I do not hurt anyone.” All right, but are you good? How many people do not do evil, but neither do they do good, and their life flows into indifference, apathy, lukewarmness. This attitude is contrary to the Gospel. “It is not enough not to hate, it is necessary to forgive; it is not enough not to have a grudge, we must pray for our enemies; it is not enough not to be a cause of division, we must bring peace where it does not exist; it is not enough not to speak badly about others, we must stop when we hear someone talking badly: stop the chatter: this is doing good.”

1. hold fast in vs. 21 is better translated embrace wholeheartedly

a. Christians are not merely to shun evil, but to embrace wholeheartedly that which is inherently genuine, true, noble, and right

"Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 10 For "Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; 11 let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." 13 Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 17 For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. 18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit," (1 Peter 3:8–18, ESV)

Conclusion: This message brings to a close our discussion of 1 Thessalonians 5:11-22. In these verses, Paul gives the Thessalonian Christians some final instructions on living the Christian life while they wait for the Lord's return. It's solid advise for the church even today!

While you're waiting for the appearance of God's Kingdom on earth, Live Responsibly in Relationship with Other Believers.

... Pray Without Ceasing.

... Be Enthusiastically joyful.

... Don’t despise the preaching of the Bible.

... Keep Far, Far Away from Evil.

If each of us spent the rest of our live just attempting to flesh-out the attitudes and behaviors mentioned in these ten verses, our posterity for generations onward would be telling others of our virtuous life.