Overcoming Evil

Romans 12:9-21

“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21  Evil and sin have rampaged our world today, and have taken many Christians into its death grip, and destroyed their lives.  However, in Romans chapter 12 we find the guidelines that will give us victory over evil.

Paul explains in verse 9 the first way to overcome evil.  “Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”  He uses the word “abhor”. This is a very strong hatred or feeling of something.  Paul is warning us as Christians to hate evil, and to cleave to good things.   This means we need to be continually filling our minds with God’s Word, and should be surrounding ourselves with good friends and influences.  Seek those who want to cleave to Godly things instead of sin and evil.  

However, Paul understood that once we cleave to the Godly things, we will instantly receive enemies.  These enemies are the ones who do not cleave to good things, but are obsessed with the evil of this world.  This is where chapter 12 gets difficult for us as Christians. The Lord states in verse 19 that vengeance is His, and goes on to say that if our enemy hungers then we must feed him.  Oh’ how we find it hard to love our enemies. Yet we see our greatest example found in Jesus Christ.   Although His own people wanted to kill Him, He loved them unconditionally and died willingly for them. 

We must show the light of Jesus to those who know Him not.  As Christians, we cannot avoid the truth.  The best way to overcome the evil of this world is to overcome it with good.

Joel Buckingham