Read: Romans 12
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (v. 21)
Living in a sin-tainted world means we are always battling evil. Evil has existed ever since Adam and Eve chose to disobey God in the garden of Eden (see Genesis 3). In John 16:33, Jesus described it this way: “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (NIV). It’s easy to lose heart when we see depravity on this side of heaven. We might even be tempted to give up.
However, the good news of the gospel is that Jesus came so that we can be reconciled to God. His death and resurrection have already won the victory. When he comes again, evil will be eliminated, death will be a thing of the past, and believers will experience eternal life. We have hope because Jesus overcame the world.
While we live in the midst of evil now, we can seek to practice verse 21: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” As we considered yesterday, living out verses 17-20 is one way to overcome evil. Prayer for the expansion of God’s kingdom is another. We can ask God to help us address evil thoughts, motives, and actions in our own life. We can discern how bearing the fruit of the Spirit can promote good in the midst of brokenness. How can you overcome evil with good in your life and in the lives of those around you?
As you pray, use the petitions in the Lord’s Prayer, including “lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matt. 6:9-13).
Steve Petroelje is a specialized transition pastor who serves vacant churches and helps them assess health, pursue missional effectiveness, and conduct a pastoral search process. He is the past-president of the Words of Hope Board of Directors.
