Note 23 at 1 Th. 5:22: The word "abstain" means "to keep oneself from doing something" (NAHD). The emphasis is on self restraint. No one else can make you abstain from anything.

Note 24 at 1 Th. 5:22: Notice that we are not to abstain (see note 23 at this v.) from evil only, but we are to abstain from all APPEARANCE of evil. Paul said a similar thing in 2 Corinthians 8:21, "Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." Again in Romans 12:17 Paul said, "Provide things honest in the sight of all men" (see note 5 at 2 Cor. 8:20, p. 1023).

Many people have thought that as long as we are right in the sight of God, that's all that matters. But these scriptures show us that it is God's will to be right in the sight of man also, as much as it is possible. Certainly, this is primarily because of our Christian witness. Satan is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10) and he uses every possible weapon against us. We can't stop him totally from taking shots at us, but at least we can stop supplying him with ammunition.