"Avoid the Appearance of Evil"

I've been wondering how to reconcile the above scripture with how Jesus lived his life.  He hung out with hookers, tax collectors and drunks.  He turned water into wine. He did some serious house cleaning with the money changers in the temple! He didn't seem to have any concern about what "people might think" or "what is this going to look like to others?"

 "Could what I'm doing appear as evil?" Did not seem to be of any concern to him.

I did a brief study of this passage (1 Thessalonians 5:22)  and discovered that most modern translations render the passage as - "Avoid every kind of evil" or "Avoid all forms of evil" Only the KJV says, "Avoid the appearence of evil" I believe that most scholars would suggest that the KJV, in this case is not the best translation.

It's funny how many times I've heard this verse to justify a legalistic approach to life!  "You shouldn't go to the movies, dance, go to bars, drink, go to rock concerts"....on and on it goes. Because you want to " avoid the appearance of evil."  The religious spirit is a subtle one indeed.  The rationale always sounds so pious and holy. It usually feels so pure and sacred, Yet all too often, it stems from a self rightous, religious attitude. 

I find that when I'm worried about how my actions might be seen by others, (especially other Christians) there's a good chance that I'm dealing with a self rightous, religious spirit. The religious spirit causes you to focus on yourself  and outward appearances and holds you captive in a prison of what others think.

Is there not an irresistable draw toward Jesus and his approach to life and ministry?  He knew his heart was in tune with the Father's will and that's all that mattered.  He came to "set the captives free and to bind up the broken hearted"  What others thought about him and his friends or his approuch to ministry or how others thought that he would reveal himself as the Messiah made no difference to him.

I long to walk, in ever increasing measure, in that same freedom that Jesus walked. I believe that the key is rooted in love. Love for the Father and love for others. When we're compelled and motivated by love, don't we find ourselves free from what others think?