Overcoming Evil With Good
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21
Returning good for evil is one of the most difficult obligations a Christian has. Yet from Old Testament times, that has been God’s command to the godly person: “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you” (Prov 25:21-22).
The expression “heap coals of fire on his head” referred to an ancient Egyptian custom. A person wanting to show public contrition would carry on his head a pan of burning coals to symbolize the burning pain of his shame and guilt. When you love an enemy enough to truly endeavor to meet his needs, you hope to shame him for his hatred toward you.
To avoid being overcome by the evil done to you, you must first not allow it to overwhelm you. Second, you must not allow your own evil responses to overpower you. In either instance, the evil itself must be overcome by what is good.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 230). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: God is good and He is omnipotent. Good always has the power to overcome evil, unless we choose to let evil win. We must not let ourselves give in to evil, nor respond to evil with more evil. Respond with good and let Christ strengthen you to overcome it.
Applications: We must learn to love our enemies. This goes against our human nature and pride, but we must conform to Christ and "do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you" (Luke 6:27-28). Remember to not merely avoid responding to evil with evil, but to return good for evil to overcome it.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for strength to withstand and overcome evil directed against me. Pray for humility, so I would not respond poorly to what I might pridefully percieve as offenses against me.
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Romans 12:21
Returning good for evil is one of the most difficult obligations a Christian has. Yet from Old Testament times, that has been God’s command to the godly person: “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you” (Prov 25:21-22).
The expression “heap coals of fire on his head” referred to an ancient Egyptian custom. A person wanting to show public contrition would carry on his head a pan of burning coals to symbolize the burning pain of his shame and guilt. When you love an enemy enough to truly endeavor to meet his needs, you hope to shame him for his hatred toward you.
To avoid being overcome by the evil done to you, you must first not allow it to overwhelm you. Second, you must not allow your own evil responses to overpower you. In either instance, the evil itself must be overcome by what is good.
MacArthur, J. (2001). Truth for today : A daily touch of God's grace (Page 230). Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman.
Lessons Learned: God is good and He is omnipotent. Good always has the power to overcome evil, unless we choose to let evil win. We must not let ourselves give in to evil, nor respond to evil with more evil. Respond with good and let Christ strengthen you to overcome it.
Applications: We must learn to love our enemies. This goes against our human nature and pride, but we must conform to Christ and "do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you" (Luke 6:27-28). Remember to not merely avoid responding to evil with evil, but to return good for evil to overcome it.
Prayer Subjects: Pray for strength to withstand and overcome evil directed against me. Pray for humility, so I would not respond poorly to what I might pridefully percieve as offenses against me.
Listen to this entry
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