Daily Devotional – Sunday, March 19, 2023
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21 (NKJV)
After the Rwanda Genocide of 1994, something intriguing happened. A widow adopted the young man who had killed her husband and children. Yes. You got it right! She had pity on the repentant orphaned killer and became his second mother. The widow decided to overcome evil with good.
Conquer Wickedness with Kindness
Was this decision easy for the widow? No! How do you live under the same roof with a convicted killer, one who has rendered you rootless? Society demands that you hate such a person vehemently and you ensure he is punished with life imprisonment or execution. Only then will your heart get some measure of relief.
The Rwandese widow’s unorthodox reaction and treatment of a real enemy is a core teaching of Christianity. In Romans Chapter 12, Paul counsels:
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:17-19).
Defeat Malice with Compassion
Like other First Century Christians, those in Rome must have undergone some level of stigma and persecution. Humanly-speaking, they had enough reasons to hit back at their persecutors at the earliest opportunity. In contrast, Paul instructed these believers to pursue peace and not to revenge.
This decision and attitude does not come easy. It can only result from the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Joseph exemplifies a forgiving and non-vengeful spirit He had many reasons to punish his brothers for attempting to kill him and later selling him into slavery. Instead, Joseph chose to forgive his evil siblings and to do them good.
Overcome Evil with Good
Paul further teaches, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21). Instead of evil controlling us, we are to control it through good deeds. Nothing hurts the person who wishes you harm than to do them good. It is comparable to heaping coals of fire on his or her head. (Verse 20).
By the grace and power of God, determine (however hard) to obey Christ’s command: “…love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:44-45).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me overcome evil with good because by so doing I will demonstrate to the world that I am Your child.
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May God help me.
Indeed, Pastor, only by God’s grace can we love our enemies and do them good instead.
The woman Suffered a great evil from the murderer,it was very easy for that evil to overcome her,but she dominated it instead.
May God grant us the same spirit.
Amen, Elder. Only by divine help cam we overcome evil with good.