Overcome Evil With
Good
Bless
those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who
rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not
be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be
conceited.
Do
not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of
everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with
everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for
it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty,
give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his
head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:14-21
Pointing
out what is wrong is easy. Overcoming evil with good is harder.
Most
of us experience evil on a smaller, more personal scale. And for us, the
apostle Paul outlined the proper response. He said we are to abhor evil, not to
repay it with more evil, and not be overcome by it.
The
true victim of evil is goodness – the goodness that God designed as part of
creation for everyone to enjoy. It is surprising that when Paul concludes that
the casualty of evil is also its conqueror.
Evil
gets the headlines, but God’s goodness is stronger, and He wants us to use it
on His behalf to overcome His enemy.
A light overcomes darkness, goodness can overcome evil.
Our Daily Bread –