“Abstain from the appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22, King James Version). Perhaps this is a phrase you’ve heard before. When I was a teenager, it was what parents said when they heard about a co-ed camping trip, or a boyfriend and girlfriend hanging out alone behind closed doors. I understood their point, but I also had some trouble with the phrase. I felt that it put too much weight on what other people would think of me. Was I really responsible for how I looked to others even if I were doing the right things? How can I know how other people might perceive my actions? It was hard to understand what this verse was really saying about my life. 

How to use this article

This is a guided Bible study on the topic of the appearance of evil. It’s designed to help you discover the meaning of this scripture directly from the Bible. In order to really get the most out of this study, you’ll need:

1. Something to write on
2. Something to write with
3. A Bible or online Bible program

Two things have dramatically improved the way I learn and study the Bible. I’d like you to give them a try when going through this article. First, I learned to silence my phone. Turning off distractions, and not using my mobile Bible (which comes with Instagram notifications and Twitter feeds) helped me to learn more and understand God’s desires for my life in a deeper way.

Second, I learned to write down scriptures as I studied, not just reference what chapter and verse I was reading. I saw a bigger picture than just what each separate verse was telling me.

This study is written in the form of questions and applicable scriptures. Write down the questions and the full text of the scriptures as you go.

Are you ready? Do you have your paper and pen? Is your phone on silent?

What does the “appearance of evil” even mean?

Translation really matters for this verse. The Revised Standard Version sounds totally different: “Abstain from every form of evil.” How does the New King James Version compare? Look up 1 Thessalonians 5:22 in the New King James translation.

The Greek word for “appearance” is eidos. It means form, or that which is seen. Very few translations render it as “appearance” other than the King James version. It could also be rephrased as, “Abstain from evil wherever it appears.”

Context is important in understanding Scripture. Consider these other translations and read the context of 1 Thessalonians 5. This verse is actually creating a bigger picture than just others’ perceptions of us. It’s asking us to avoid evil completely, in every way.

When I learned that, I had even more questions. Here are some of them:

What is evil?

Find and write out the scriptures 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; Psalm 52:1; Amos 5:14-15 and Romans 12:9. Did you see how evil is repeatedly defined as a contrast to good? Now, let’s look at the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:9, Genesis 2:16-17). Notice how the tree of knowledge mixes good and evil. Do you experience situations that are a combination of good and evil? Have you ever gotten advice from teachers or friends that has some good and some bad mixed together? How about an uplifting or educational school event that is scheduled on a Saturday?

Is evil always easy to identify?

No, it is not. Evil can seem like a good thing (2 Corinthians 11:14; Isaiah 5:20). How about friends who show love and kindness, but also overdrink or try drugs? It is God who saves us from falling into the trap of evil (Matthew 6:13, 2 Thessalonians 3:3). In order to stay connected with the God who saves us, let’s learn more about the good that God wants in our lives.

What is good?

Look at Psalm 73:1, Psalm 119:68; Romans 7:12, Romans 12:21; 1 Timothy 1:8 and Psalm 107:1. That’s pretty clear! There are only a few good things: God, the things God does and His law. To stand firm in a world mixed with good and evil, we need to deeply understand what is truly good.

It’s easy to label a situation as “appearing evil” when there is actual evil mixed in with the good! Think back to the example of the boyfriend and girlfriend spending time alone, or cuddling under a blanket. What are God’s instructions regarding sexual temptation (1 Corinthians 6:18; 2 Timothy 2:22)? Spending hours under a blanket, or camping alone with your boyfriend or girlfriend, is not fleeing!

Relationships are a big part of our lives and many situations we face. What does God’s goodness look like in relationships?

What is a good relationship with God?

Look at Psalms 37:4; Matthew 6:33-3; Proverbs 16:3, Proverbs 16:9, Proverbs 19:21-22; Jeremiah 29:11-13, Jeremiah 31:33-34; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and 1 John 3:22. In part, a good relationship with God involves open communication, a true desire to become like God, loving God’s ways and then actually obeying Him in our lives. All these things display truly loving God.

What are good family relationships?

Review Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 1:8, Proverbs 23:22 and Colossians 3:20. A big part of honoring our parents is listening and obeying. This is a tough one, but when you’re feeling frustrated with your parents, remember that everyone has a part to play in bringing God’s goodness to a family relationship. What about a parent’s role (Colossians 3:21; Ephesians 6:4; Proverbs 22:6 and Proverbs 23:24)? Good family relationships should mirror our relationship with God, which means communication is needed! We can learn to express our thoughts, or ask questions without being angry, accusing or annoyed.

What are good friendships

Read 1 Corinthians 15:33; Romans 16:17, Romans 16:19; Proverbs 13:20, Proverbs 17:17 and Proverbs 22:24-25. We interact with many people who aren’t our closest friends. We can be kind, friendly and enjoy all types of people and interactions. These scriptures are talking about our friends—the people we choose to spend time with, listen to and build relationships with. Did you notice from the scriptures that those we spend time with rub off on us, whether for good or evil? God asks us to choose friends who will bring good into our lives and not evil. Do you think this applies to the people we date as well?

What is a good dating relationship

Check out Song of Solomon 3:5, Song of Solomon 8:4; Hebrews 13:4 and 2 Corinthians 6:14. A good dating relationship is a deep friendship. As we learned before, our friends rub off on us. Good potential dating partners are already living God’s way, and bring more of God’s way of life into our lives. Those who don’t understand the truth—or don’t live the truth they know—will bring a mix of good and evil into our lives.

We live in a world that doesn’t understand the blessing of God’s way of life. The only way to truly navigate the mixture of good and evil is to choose to follow God. This includes studying the Bible and understanding what it says about God’s desire for every situation, then applying it. Through Bible study and time spent with God in prayer we can learn to see evil where it appears, and choose to obey God instead.