Daily Devotional – Sunday, October 30, 2022
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 (NKJV)
It is normal to respond to evil with evil. A person who hurts another person expects the victim to retaliate. Tit for tat is a fair game, the saying goes. This explains unceasing conflicts between individuals and groups.
Defeat Wickedness with Kindness
A Rwandese woman, though, went against the grain and did the unthinkable. She adopted a young man who had killed her husband and kin! Instead of avenging the death of her loved ones, she exercised kindness towards her enemy.
Under normal circumstances, the widow would have ensured the young man was jailed or executed. Because she chose to forgive, she melted the heart of a murderer. What do you think was going on in the mind of the guilty man?
Repay No One Evil for Evil
What the woman did is in tandem with biblical teachings. Christianity is a call to be radically different from the world. Indeed, God invites us to do the unthinkable, like forgiving and loving people who have hurt us.
In Romans 12:9-21, Paul describes some of the actions that differentiate Christians from non-Christians. For example, the apostle directs, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” (Verse 14). Also, “Repay no one evil for evil.” (Verse 17).
Conquer Sin Through Forgiveness
Paul sums up this section by emphasizing, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Verse 21). When people hurts us deliberately, it is possible to become bitter and contemplate or effect revenge. We can choose to pay evil with evil.
God, on the other hand, expects us to be calm under provocation and to leave revenge to Him. When others accuse us wrongfully or treat us contemptuously, we must not be overcome by evil but turn the tables on evil by acting with kindness, mercy and love.
Overcome Evil with Good
How is this even possible? When we allow Jesus to come into our hearts, and we experience a new birth in the Spirit, we undergo character transformation. Only then can we overcome evil with good.
Prayer
Almighty Father, live in me and teach me how to overcome evil with good.
Please share your thoughts on this devotional.
Matthew 18:15-16
[15]“If your brother sins against you, go to him and show him his fault. But do it privately, just between yourselves. If he listens to you, you have won your brother back.
[16]But if he will not listen to you, take one or two other persons with you, so that ‘every accusation may be upheld by the testimony of two or more witnesses,’ as the scripture says.
Thank you Jesus for calling us to come and learn from you; for you are gentle and lowly in heart!
Amen, Danvas. God bless you. Keep coming back and leaving comments to encourage others.
Amen..We have several instances where the people of God overcame evil with good. For instance, Joseph was sold by his own brothers, and he faced severe trials in his life because of that. However, God elevated Joseph and made him the ruler of Egypt. Years later, when Joseph met his brothers, he did not avenge them, but accepted them with great love. Truly, Joseph overcame evil with good by forgiving his brothers. Hence, we too must overcome evil with good by forgiving and forgetting others mistakes. Rest assured that God will fight for us. Amen!
Amen, Doc
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