Overcoming Evil with Good

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” -Romans 12:21

What does it mean to overcome evil with good? Many days it may seem as though we are being overcome by negativity.  But, how do we get out of the mire? What did God have in mind for the way we should live our lives?

I love the verses leading up to the scripture above: "Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves... keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.  Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse... If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."  This is our blueprint for walking in love.

When life hits us with hard blows, in order to win, we shouldn't hit back. The natural response is to pay back evil for evil, to lash out or to avenge ourselves, but that only allows the enemy of our souls a foothold in our lives. Instead, we are to be different. Instead, we are to be counter-culture.  We are to overcome evil, by applying the good.  We are to win over the situation by applying God's ways, and by putting Him first.

When we are freed from feeling the need to avenge a negative situation that we have no control over, that's when we know that area in our lives has been redeemed. When we can give freely and walk in peace, that is overcoming. Sometimes continued negativity or drama can become an idol in our lives when we live with it too long.  We have to lay the situation at the foot of the cross. We'll know we're freed from its power when it doesn't bother us anymore. God has instead taken its place in our lives.  We are at ease.

Let us do all we can, and let God handle the rest.  Let us overcome evil with good.

God is Good

"Once a religious leader asked Jesus this question: 'Good Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?' 'Why do you call me good?' Jesus asked him. 'Only God is truly good.'" -Luke 18:18 & 19 

Have you ever said about someone, "She's such a good person," or "He's a good person"? I've found myself saying this many times, admiring people who do right by others.  But when I read the verse above, I was completely taken aback!  How can anyone be good, if Jesus Himself said He wasn't good - that only the Father was good?

Though it is a figure of speech, "being good" brings up an important point. You might have heard it said before, good doesn’t get us into heaven.  That seems kind of harsh, doesn't it?  However, Jesus wasn't interested in good.  He made the statement "only God is good", because only God is perfect, and no one on earth is perfect.  The Pharisees got tripped up on this point - after all, they did all the right things!  They were "good" people.  But, they completely missed the boat when they encountered Jesus - that He was the truth, He was their salvation - and they didn't even recognize Him.  

There is nothing we can do to make ourselves good, or perfect. The truth is, none of us are good on our own. But through Jesus, we have been provided a way out.  The one thing we can do is receive the gift of Jesus, so that we can be saved from our imperfections and live in eternity with Him. When we receive God into our lives, we become more than we ever could be, and His "good" rubs off on us, which then rubs off on others.  

Why not receive God’s goodness today?  "For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations." Ps 100:5