“Behave Yourself!”
1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV
David P. Nolte
You have heard the duck test – “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, waddles like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck” That suggests that something can be identified by its habitual characteristics. Actually in this neck of the woods it should have been the beaver test!
That kind of test applies to sin, as well: The sin test – “If it looks like a sin, acts like sin, impacts like sin and comes across as a sin, then it probably is a sin.”
But we are counseled, no, commanded in the Bible to abstain from, to avoid, and to stay far away from evil or sin in any of its forms. Today I want to put it as does the KJV: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV).
Paul urges us to “Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Philippians 2:15 (NLT2). That is, live in the world uncorrupted. Carry the light of God by word and deed into the sin darkened world.
If what we are doing, or saying, looks like sin, and impacts others like sin, it is sin and we need to avoid it like it was a rattlesnake. The apostle Paul said that he would give up any freedom or activity that might cause someone else to stumble. We, too, may need to bridle our freedom!
Some might protest: “But as long as I know I’m not doing wrong why does it matter what others think?” Well, it’s like when a little boy was getting dressed for school. He held up a shirt he had worn the day before and asked, “Mom, is this shirt dirty?” She replied, “If it’s questionable, it’s dirty so pick another shirt.”
Well, if it is questionable behavior, it matters. It is our responsibility to make our behavior unquestionable. If our morals look questionable or if our actions give the impression of misbehavior or if what we do or say calls into question our commitment to Christ, it matters! If it paves the way for someone else to sin, it matters! If it turns someone away from Christ it matters!
I say it again: Yes, it matters what others think of our behavior! And I include myself in this, perhaps even more than you, because James warns me, that as a teacher I will be “subject to a stricter judgment!” James 3:1.
Now, this is not a spanking sermon, just a reminder that, in times of extended inactivity we sometimes grow a little lax about, or inattentive to, our behavior. Idle hands are the devil’s tools. I don’t want to shoot at anyone, because I, too, wear a target. But if the shoe fits ...
So, why should we avoid even the mere appearance of sin? Because no one is an island with a life lived outside the context and influence of, or impact on, other lives. We are responsible for that influence and impact.
When God asked Cain about his brother, Cain replied, in a self-defending manner, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” He thought that absolved him of responsibility for Abel. When Pilate washed his hands to indicate his end of involvement in the trial of Jesus, he thought his responsibility for the outcome was washed away.
But, whether we do, or don’t, feel responsible for how our speech and actions affect others, we are responsible and will give account to God for how we have led or misled someone.
So, we must abstain from, and totally avoid, any appearance of evil. And the Lord may have to say to you, as He often has to say to me,”Behave yourself!” Here’s why the appearance of evil is harmful:
I. IT MUDDIES OUR WITNESS:
A. You are the only Jesus some people will see – don’t present a blurred, twisted or smudged image.
1. If we compromise our convictions, others, as they observe, may say, “If you are a Christian I don’t want to be one.”
2. If we profess one standard and live by another they may say, “The church is too full of hypocrites.”
3. If we are doing something dishonest or dishonorable, they will doubt our testimony.
4. If we are too chummy or forward with someone other than our spouse, they may think, “If they do that in public, what do they do in private?”
5. If we use inappropriate language they may well doubt our purity.
6. So, if we talk like the world, think like the world, and act like the world, people have a right to conclude that we are of the world.
B. A group of men who professed to be Christians were telling slightly off color, or at least questionable, stories after church when one of the men in the group said, softly, “Please excuse me. I’m a new Christian and this is not the kind of talk I want to participate in. And since I’ve opened my mouth, I am sorry to say that if I were a stranger listening in, I’d never guess you were a group of Christian men.”
C. If someone calls us out for the appearance of sin, or questions our actions,
1. Never mind if it is their business or not!
2. Never mind if you think it is innocent.
3. It is your business, and it is my business, to live an unimpeachable life and not to send mixed messages and distorted signals by our behavior.
D. But there is a better way to act and speak that doesn’t muddy, but magnifies, our witness:
1. The Bible says: “Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Philippians 2:15 (NLT2).
2. “Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when He judges the world.” 1 Peter 2:12 (NLT2).
3. If we so conduct ourselves,
a. We will “make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way.” Titus 2:10 (NLT2).
b. We will be, as Jesus put it, salt and light in the world.
E. Avoid even the hint, or suggestion, or appearance of sin, misbehavior, or bad judgment. We don’t want to mislead others. Let me give an example: A man attended a party with some new friends. He spoke to a couple who had given him just their first names. They stood arm in arm and seemed like the perfect pair. After they excused themselves he said to the one next to him, “Jim and Diane sure are a nice couple.” The other person coughed and said, “well, ... they’re not a couple – they are both married – but you’d never know it by how they carry on.”
I think it was Bob Russell who said, “If you dip a white glove into a mud puddle, the glove becomes muddy but the mud puddle does not become glovey!” (Repeat this).
If we dip our Christian witness into muddy, questionable behavior, our witness becomes muddy but the muddy, questionable behavior does not become a good witness.
Make your conduct as blameless as humanly possible. And we need to avoid even the appearance of sin because it muddies our witness:
II. IT MARS GOD’S REPUTATION:
A. Parents are often rightly judged by the behavior of their kids.
1. As the old saying goes, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
2. Or, “He’s a chip off the old block.” which may, or may not, be a compliment.
3. Or some say, “You can always tell good breeding.”
B. We put God on trial, and He is judged, by our behavior in the sight of the world. We are the ambassadors of His Kingdom and we must represent Him accurately.
C. This is of vital importance!
1. God said to David after his adultery and the murder of Uriah that “by this deed you have given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, ...” 2 Samuel 12:14 (KJV).
2. And Paul noted that the because of the hypocrisy of Israel “The name of God is blasphemed among the gentiles.” Romans 2:24 (NASB).
D. But there is a better way:
1. To His disciples, Jesus said, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 (NASB).
2. To the generous Corinthians, Paul wrote, “As a result of your ministry, they will give glory to God. For your generosity to them and to all believers will prove that you are obedient to the Good News of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 9:13 (NLT2).
3. Paul also instructed every believer, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NLT2).
E. George was hurrying along with the crowd getting of the commuter train, and he noted that a boy selling apples was knocked down by a particularly careless individual. But though he was in a hurry, he stopped, helped the boy to his feet and gathered up the apples with him. He bought a couple apples and as he turned to go, the boy said, “Gosh, Mister, thanks – and, say, Mister. are you Jesus?” George smiled and said, “No, son – I just work for Him.” His actions brought honor to the Lord, not disgrace.
Avoid the appearance of sin because it mars God’s reputation. Furthermore, avoid the appearance of sin because
III. IT MOTIVATES OTHERS TO SIN:
A. Our outward appearance, our actions and words carry significant weight to some onlooker.
1. Some will reason, “If you do it, it must be ok, so I’ll do it too!”
2. Some will say, “I want to be like you!”
3. Some are like the guests at President Calvin Coolidge’s table. They were worried about their table manners, so they decided to do everything their host did. All went well until coffee was served. Coolidge poured some his into the saucer. The guests did the same. The President added sugar and cream. So did the visitors. Then Coolidge leaned over and placed his saucer on the floor for the cat. Like those guests, some will blindly follow our example, too.
B. Some of our example will undoubtedly be good; but some will not be so good. And hear what Jesus says about that
1. “There will always be temptations to sin, but what sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting!” Luke 17:1 (NLT2).
2. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” Mark 9:42 (RSV).
C. We are all leaders to someone. God help us to lead them right! There is a right way:
1. “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered Himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:2 (NLT2).
2. “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you,” 2 Thessalonians 3:7 (NASB).
3. “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:12 (NASB).
D. So, if we love; if we follow Paul’s example; if we are examples of those who believe we will avoid any appearance of sin.
E. Let me conclude with this story. It illustrates the power of example. A little girl wanted be just like mama. She put on her mama’s dress, smeared on her make-up, strutted around in her shoes and then lit one of her cigarettes. The dress caught fire and the severely burned little girl sobbed, “I did like mama, and it burned me!” Be very sure that the example you set or that you follow won’t get anyone burned.
Let’s listen to Paul, “The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So don’t live in darkness. Get rid of your evil deeds. Shed them like dirty clothes. Clothe yourselves with the armor of right living, as those who live in the light.” Romans 13:12 (NLT).
It is in your hands to influence others for good or ill. We must remember that as Christians we are ambassadors for Christ and are called and counted on to represent Him well. We cannot do that unless we avoid even the appearance of sin. Let every one of us ask God to reveal to us any conduct that can be misconstrued and misleading so that we shed light and impart truth and pour grace into those whose lives we impact.
Let this be our prayer:
If I have wounded any soul today,
If I have caused one foot to go astray,
If I have walked in my own willful way,
Dear Lord, forgive!
If I have uttered idle words or vain,
If I have turned aside from want or pain,
Lest I myself shall suffer through the strain,
Dear Lord, forgive!
Forgive the sins I have confessed to Thee;
Forgive the secret sins I do not see;
O guide me, love me, and my keeper be.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
by Charles Hutchinson Gabriel, 1911
“If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9 (NASB). He forgives, but we need to avoid and confess even the appearance of sin.
