Overcoming evil with good

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

“Be not overcome of evil. Let not the evil of any provocation that is given you have such a power over you, or make such an impression upon you, as to dispossess you of yourselves, to disturb your peace, to destroy your love, to ruffle and discompose your spirits, to transport you to any indecencies, or to bring you to study or attempt any revenge.” He that cannot quietly bear an injury is perfectly conquered by it. (2.) “But overcome evil with good, with the good of patience and forbearance, nay, and of kindness and beneficence to those that wrong you. Learn to defeat their ill designs against you, and either to change them, or at least to preserve your own peace.” He that hath this rule over his spirit is better than the mighty.” (Matthew Henry)

This verse is for all but only fits those who have matured in the Spirit. It is a fundamental reality that we need to make our own. It is the brilliance of God personified in a people that were once lead about by the whims of sin. It proves the maturity of a believer, I suppose we can obviously prove that Christ achieved this throughout his lifetime and it came to a head when He died on the cross overcoming evil once and for all! There have been many others who have shown similar traits to our great Saviour. Stephen was martyred and this was his testimony; “And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:59-60) – He overcame the evil that he faced with these words, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." It is beautiful to behold, and God is glorified with such an act of love. In fact is was so pleasing to God that the Lord Jesus got off His throne and stood while He watched what was unfolding; "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."

It is through these types of acts that I begin to understand verses like these with clarity; “so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 3:10) – Many of us look to justify ourselves when we have been wronged as we look to repay evil with evil, we claim it is our right, when in fact we have no rights and all it proves is we are yet babes in Christ! Regardless of how long we have been saved, the command is clear, “overcome evil with good”!

We must wrestle for this to become a reality in our lives.

God helps us to put on the mind of Christ!

Signing off

Tyrone