1 Thessalonians 5:22, compiled by David Brewer
http://morechrist.blogspot.ca/2013/10/out-of-context-appearance-of-evil.html
The Thessalonians were to embrace those prophetic messages that were found to be genuine, but they were also called to reject those that were otherwise. While the exhortation to separate themselves from evil had wide applicability, in this context the command is put into service to guide their reaction to prophecies that were considered false. They should shun every kind of evil, whatever its nature, including false prophecy. Christians should keep away from any kind of inspired revelation that the community deems to originate from a source other than the Holy Spirit. The church should not treat true prophecies lightly, nor should they adhere to revelations that are patently false. (Gene Green, The Pillar NT Commentary).
Clearly, the context has to do with exercising discernment when it comes to spiritual instruction. They should then keep the good and throw out the bad. Thus, v 22 has the idea of “stay away from bad doctrine.”
The term translated kind appears in other contexts with the meaning “appearance,” but only in the sense of external appearance that reflects internal reality (Green). There is no intent to draw a contrast between appearance and substance in this verse (Michael D. Martin, The New American Commentary).
“Avoid” (apechomai) means “to keep away from” or “abstain from a teaching or a practice,” as in 4:3 they were commanded to “avoid [apechesthai] sexual immorality.” The same word was used by the Jerusalem apostles when they wrote to the Gentile churches that they should “abstain from food sacrificed to idols … and from immorality” (Acts 15:20) (Martin).
The KJV translates this verse “abstain from every appearance of evil” (the NKJV replaced “appearance” with “form”). When the KJV first came out in 1611, the word “appearance” meant “the act of becoming visible.” Today “appearance” can mean “how something seems,” not how it is in reality. So it’s possible some people might get the wrong idea that Paul is saying we should abstain or avoid anything that somebody else think is evil, even though in reality it might not be evil. We should guard against the misunderstanding that Paul is warning only against apparent, and not against real, evil.
Some say that if it seems evil to a less-mature Christian that we should abstain from doing that activity (Rom 14:13-18). 1 Thess 5:22 isn’t about what seems evil, but it’s about what truly is evil.
Quite often Jesus would hang out with drinkers and “sinners” in spite of what the Pharisees thought. What they didn’t realize is Jesus came to save “sinners.” Many people today who act like Pharisees aren’t concerned about avoiding evil, but it’s a convenient way of avoiding people they don’t approve of since they want to stay in their “comfort zone” and the “appearance of evil” seems like a great excuse.
The distinct impression one gets from the Gospels is that Jesus simply did not have the same scruples about his associations that the religious leaders of the day had. They avoided the appearance of evil at all costs; Jesus seems almost to have had the opposite approach to life and ministry (cf., e.g., Luke 7:39).
Some people would like to hang out with “sinners” in order to reach them with the gospel, but they’re worried about what the “decent people” will think. They’re concerned they’ll be hassled as much as Peter was when he visited Cornelius (see Acts 11:1-3).
One problem with emphasizing the appearance of evil is that it can make us slaves to the perceptions of others. There will always be someone who thinks that something you are doing is wrong, or that it looks wrong to him. So, rather than spending our time getting to know God and serving Him, we worry about the possibility that someone, somewhere, might misconstrue our actions. In the same letter that he wrote about avoiding evil, Paul wrote, “Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). Our goal is to live righteously before God, not to comply with others’ arbitrary standards of conduct. To avoid the appearance of evil, or every form of evil, means to stay far away from evil. We need not become legalistic regarding what others may perceive to be evil. But we do need to remain cognizant of our witness to the world and of our duty to support fellow believers. We should also be aware of our own tendencies toward sin. Rather than flirting with what could lead us into sin, we avoid evil altogether (from: http://www.gotquestions.org/appearance-of-evil.html#ixzz3P8cpo1MU).
In conclusion, 1 Thess 5:22 is apparently talking about staying away from false teaching and has nothing to do with lifestyle per se.
Sources Used
Barbieri, Louis A., Jr. “Matthew.” The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck. Vol. 2. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985. Print.
Barry, John D. et al. Faithlife Study Bible. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2012. Print.
Biblical Studies Press. The NET Bible First Edition. Biblical Studies Press, 2006. Print.
Wiersbe, Warren W. The Bible Exposition Commentary. Vol. 1. Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996. Print.
Willmington, Harold L. The Outline Bible. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1999. Print.
Internet Articles
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/god/church/features/21844-misreading-the-bible
http://www.richardghowe.com/What%20Does%20This%20Verse%20Mean%20to%20You.pdf
https://bible.org/article/1-thessalonians-522%E2%80%94-sin-sniffer%E2%80%99s-catch-all-verse.
http://www.gotquestions.org/appearance-of-evil.html#ixzz3P8cpo1MU.
https://bible.org/article/1-thessalonians-522%E2%80%94-sin-sniffer%E2%80%99s-catch-all-verse.