Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
It’s difficult to look at the darkness in this world and not be overwhelmed at times. The various ways that evil permeates and manifests in our culture can seem countless. How do we battle this darkness? How do we overcome evil?
In our desire to overcome evil, we can run from it, speak ill against it, retaliate, or deny its existence.
Paul shares with us that the way to overcome evil (and not be overcomed by it) is with good.* This aligns to the teaching of Jesus to love our enemies (Luke. 6:27–28, 35).* What does overcoming evil with good look like in our lives?
Paul shows us how to overcome evil with good: to hate what is evil and cling to what is good (v. 9), bless rather than curse persecutors (v. 14), refuse to retaliate (v. 17), seek peace (v. 18), and refuse to seek vengeance (v. 19).* In addition, when we give food and drink to our enemies (v. 20), we overcome evil with good!*
When we retaliate against our enemies because of the evil done to us, we become just like them.* In this way, we become overcome by evil. Becoming victorious is returning good for evil.*
Here’s the good news: evil cannot stand against good.*
Engaging in good in the face of evil requires the grace of God and the power of the Holy Spirit to allow us to do what we cannot on our own. We need Him to over come.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to rely on Him for the strength you need to give good to those who do evil to you. Perhaps today God wants you to change your strategy for reacting to the evil of this world. Maybe today God wants you to overcome.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus.
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*Kruse, C. G. (2012). Paul’s Letter to the Romans (D. A. Carson, Ed.; p. 485–486). William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company; Apollos.
Osborne, G. R. (2004). Romans (pp. 340–341). InterVarsity Press.
Morris, L. (1988). The Epistle to the Romans (pp. 455–456). W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press.
Moo, D. J. (2000). Romans (pp. 413–414). Zondervan Publishing House.