Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil by good. Romans 12:21
No one would deny that there is much evil in our world. One can hardly read the paper or turn on the news without hearing of another heinous crime. In fact, it seems like the more we try to do good, the more evil there is. The Apostle Paul must have felt the same way. (Romans 7:21). Is the situation hopeless then? Is there nothing we can do?
The above verse in Proverbs tells us what to do. We are to overcome evil by doing good. It almost sounds like a cliché doesn't it? Yet is truly isn't? You see, the world and its system doesn't know what to do with someone who responds to evil with good. When someone is ugly to us they expect us to be ugly back. They are disarmed when we respond with love and forgiveness.People who lie constantly believe that everyone else does the same. When they learn that someone will not lie to them they are amazed, yet they respect that person more.
You see the pattern? The only way to truly conquer evil is to not give in to it. The nature of evil (and it's father, the devil) is such that it wants to draw everyone of us into its power. When we do not give way to the temptation the evil has lost, at least in our personal lives.
Right about now you might be thinking, "But, Bro. Sullivan, that sounds way too hard." "I am not superhuman." No, none of us are superhuman. But we do have a superhuman God that lives inside of us. He would not have given us a command that we could not obey. And the truth is, this verse is not just a command. It is a secret weapon against the enemy. I can frustrate his plans for my day but not giving in to the evil around me. I can overcome evil with good.
Respectfully Yours,
Spanish Pastor Jones
No one would deny that there is much evil in our world. One can hardly read the paper or turn on the news without hearing of another heinous crime. In fact, it seems like the more we try to do good, the more evil there is. The Apostle Paul must have felt the same way. (Romans 7:21). Is the situation hopeless then? Is there nothing we can do?
The above verse in Proverbs tells us what to do. We are to overcome evil by doing good. It almost sounds like a cliché doesn't it? Yet is truly isn't? You see, the world and its system doesn't know what to do with someone who responds to evil with good. When someone is ugly to us they expect us to be ugly back. They are disarmed when we respond with love and forgiveness.People who lie constantly believe that everyone else does the same. When they learn that someone will not lie to them they are amazed, yet they respect that person more.
You see the pattern? The only way to truly conquer evil is to not give in to it. The nature of evil (and it's father, the devil) is such that it wants to draw everyone of us into its power. When we do not give way to the temptation the evil has lost, at least in our personal lives.
Right about now you might be thinking, "But, Bro. Sullivan, that sounds way too hard." "I am not superhuman." No, none of us are superhuman. But we do have a superhuman God that lives inside of us. He would not have given us a command that we could not obey. And the truth is, this verse is not just a command. It is a secret weapon against the enemy. I can frustrate his plans for my day but not giving in to the evil around me. I can overcome evil with good.
Respectfully Yours,
Spanish Pastor Jones
No comments:
Post a Comment