How To Overcome Evil: Turning Points

Romans 12:21 (NIV) says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

When I picture evil being overcome, I tend to think of the book of Revelation, but I think I’m wrong.

Perhaps Revelation is God’s judgment of evil.

Perhaps evil is overcome when it ceases to be evil by choosing to become good instead. Walk with me through my logic.

We know God brings good from evil. (Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.)

We know God takes no pleasure in judgment. (Ezekiel 18:23 Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign LORD. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?)

Could His love through us be His plan for overcoming evil? Let me explain.

Let’s think back to the cheek passage, the one that says to turn ours. If we keep reading, we get to the “love your enemy” part. Why is that in there? Because everybody loves the ones who love them—even non-believers. But to love those who hate you? That’s Jesus stuff. It’s His kind of love, and we can’t do it without Him.

And it’s life-changing.

Zacchaeus. From greedy to giving.

The Roman centurion. From enemy to friend.

Me. From evil to good.

I jokingly say to my husband, “I can be nice. Sometimes.” I say it knowing whenever someone sees good in me, it’s Jesus. Because before Jesus, I was not very nice. I have a great family legacy of strong wills, my-way-or-the-highway thinking, and plenty of it’s-all-about-me attitudes. And I learned quickly.

I didn’t like me much. In fact, I didn’t see myself as lovable at all. And if I didn’t love me, why would Jesus?

After years of trying to earn a relationship with Jesus, I surrendered and began to understood that He loved me. Period. In spite of my legacy. In spite of my being born out of wedlock. In spite of _________. He just loved me.

And it changed me.

It can change them too. The person that drives you crazy. No one is beyond His reach.

By all means, see evil for what it is, and stand your ground.

But do one better.

Overcome it. With good. Your love may be someone’s turning point.

Questions:

Can you think of a story where evil is overcome by good or where enemies become friends?

What does God desire for those who do evil? Change or judgment?

Skim Revelation. Would you honestly wish that on your worst enemy?

How will you face evil next time?

Tweetables:

Perhaps evil is overcome when it ceases to be evil by choosing to become good instead. Click To Tweet
Could God's love through us be His plan for overcoming evil? Click To Tweet
But to love those who hate you? That’s Jesus stuff. And it’s life-changing. Click To Tweet
God's love can change them too. That person that drives you crazy. No one is beyond His reach. Click To Tweet
See evil for what it is, and stand your ground. But do one better. Overcome it with good. It may be someone's turning point. Click To Tweet

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