Stay away from every kind of evil. – 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Remember “social distancing”? The bad things could not travel very far, so by keeping a safe distance we could avoid danger. We learned to step aside when passing others or even stay home to protect ourselves and those around us. It was not about seeing others as bad or dangerous, but about recognizing that they might be carrying something harmful without even knowing it.
What Jesus Teaches About Distance
Jesus also spoke about keeping our distance, but in a very different way. He never told us to avoid people, even those who are caught in sin. In fact, He spent time with sinners because He came to save us all. What He does call us to avoid is evil itself. The problem is not other people, since every one of us carries the reality of sin. The call of Jesus is to draw near to people in love, while keeping far from the sin that harms our souls.
How to Stay Away From Sin
Staying away from evil does not mean relying on our own strength. We need the power of the Holy Spirit and the freedom that comes through forgiveness in Jesus Christ. By His grace, we are transformed from sinners into forgiven children of God. Our hearts begin to change, and we find a new desire to live in ways that please Him. This is not about rules but about love, responding to His mercy with grateful obedience.
A Changed Desire
Even as followers of Christ, we sometimes fail and need to ask for forgiveness. The difference now is that our desires have been renewed. Instead of running toward sin, we seek the strength of the Holy Spirit to resist it. Instead of searching for ways to satisfy selfish urges, we search for ways to honor God. The more we walk with Him, the more we want to stay clear of anything that pulls us away from His love.
Keep Your Distance From Evil
Just as social distancing protected us from physical harm, keeping spiritual distance protects us from temptation and sin. This does not mean distancing ourselves from people, but from the evil that leads us away from God. Stay close to Jesus, lean on the Holy Spirit, and keep your distance from anything that would break your fellowship with Him.