Overcoming Evil with Good: Living God’s Way in a Wicked World - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - October 27

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

Reading the headlines and listening to the news can be very discouraging. Hearing of the continual evil occurring in the world is heartbreaking.

So when evil strikes yet again, what is our response? Do we fight back by dressing up in camouflage and going into full combat mode? How does God call us to react to it?

Jesus Our Do-Gooding Example

The Bible’s instructions may surprise most of us in that, rather than gearing up or loading up on legal or social media ammo, God calls us to be do-gooders, to overcome evil with good, apparently a force stronger and more effective than all-out war against it.

Jesus explains to us in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Scripture describes how Jesus, with the Holy Spirit and power, went around doing good (Acts 10:38). Jesus is our ultimate example of a do-gooder who overcomes evil with good.

We are also called to follow His example in overcoming evil with good,  as Ephesians 2:10 explains: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

So, if we feel like we’re not really making a difference in this world, we should reassess to see that doing good is overcoming evil, even if we don’t know the specifics or see it happening before our eyes.

Our do-gooding speaks volumes to those around us, especially if done with humility, and also puts a dent in evil. 

As 1 John 5:4 explains, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

Abigail’s Good Over Evil Act

The Bible gives examples of good overcoming evil, such as Abigail, who was married to a surly and mean man named Nabal. When Nabal insulted David and his men, who were camped near his land, refusing to share his harvest with them and threatening his household with destruction, Abigail stepped in to overcome evil with good.

Understanding there was no way she could change Nabal’s mind and get him to apologize and meet David’s request,  Abigail acted quickly, preparing extravagant supplies for David and his men. “Then she told her servants,’ Go on ahead; I’ll follow you.’ But she did not tell her husband Nabal” (1 Samuel 25:19).

Abigail risked her life to do good over the evil her husband had done. In response, “David said to Abigail, ‘Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, who has sent you today to meet me. May you be blessed for your good judgment and for keeping me from bloodshed this day and from avenging myself with my hands.’ Then David accepted from her hand what she had brought him and said, ‘Go home in peace. I have heard your words and granted your request.’” (1 Samuel 25:32-35). 

God Doesn’t Leave Us Defenseless

Along with do-gooding, God has designed a divine armor for us to wear in facing an evil world, as described in Ephesians 6: 10-17:

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, you can stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, and your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Let’s Pray: Dear Father, lead us and teach us how to be do-gooders like Jesus so that we may overcome evil with good, just as He did while living on earth. Strengthen and empower us to follow His example of doing good and to recognize the power it has to overcome evil. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/shuang paul wang

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.

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