"Abstain From"
  1. The word "abstain" should be understood. It means "to keep oneself from" something. In the NT it
    invariably refers to evil practices. It has some synonyms: forbear, refrain, etc. "Abstain" appears
    to be the stronger term and will, perhaps, obtain more respect.
  2. The expression is found in the NT six times.
  1. Acts 15:20 - "But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and
    from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood." Acts 15:29 - "That ye abstain
    from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from
    fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well."  These two
    verses give four things from which Christians were/are to abstain:
  1. Meats offered to idols
  2. Blood
  3. Things strangled
  4. Sexual immorality - Romans 1:18ff offers a good commentary on this subject.
  1. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 - "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should
    abstain from fornication"  Sexual immorality. This has to do with character. "Sanctification"
    in this verse consist of two things:
  1. Ceasing to do evil
  2. Learning to do well
  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 - "Abstain from all appearance of evil."
  1. Verse 21, says "prove all things" - having thus proven it to be good or evil, we're told
    to abstain from every form of evil.
  2. 1 Timothy 4:12 we are to be an example.
  3. If our example causes another to sin, we have sinned - 1 Corinthians 8:10.
  1. 1 Timothy 4:3 - "Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God
    hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth." In
    this verse some were teaching Christians to abstain from certain foods.
  1. It is assumed that we have little or no problem here
  2. Our 7th Day Adventists could learn a lesson here
  1. 1 Peter 2:11 - "Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from
    fleshly lusts, which war against the soul"
  1. Galatians 5:19-21, enumerates those "works of the flesh", and ends by saying "They
    who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
  2. James 1:14-15, shows how this lust develops
  1. Remember that the above is God's will; He has commanded such - We either do them or miss
    heaven.
  1. Big order! But, so very essential!
  2. This, of course, involves "repentance" - and this brings us to our invitation.