What does 1 Thessalonians 5:22 mean?

Paul has indicated that Christians ought to test spiritual claims before accepting or rejecting them (1 Thessalonians 5:20–21). Believers should also apply Scripture to lifestyle practices.

Paul calIs upon the Thessalonian Christians to "abstain from every form of evil." The Greek word apechesthe literally means "abstain," or "to keep away from." The same root word appears also in 1 Thessalonians 4:3, where Paul commands believers to abstain from sexual immorality. If an action violates Scriptural commands or principles, believers should avoid it.

The Bible is a faultless authority not only for what we believe, but also for how we ought to behave. Paul called upon the Christians at Philippi and us to "… be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life …" (Philippians 2:15–16). God's Word helps us choose what is morally acceptable and reject what is a form of evil. Psalm 119:9 asks: "How can a young man keep his way pure?" The answer: "By guarding it according to your word." Also, the psalmist wrote, "I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11).