WEEK 28 – DAY 2

July 13, 2021

OVERCOMING EVIL

Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21

We live in a day of “road rage” and “going postal”. A common attitude is, “I don’t get mad; I get even!” Romans 12:2 says we are not to be like the world around us. According to the verses above, we should not try to even the score when we are wronged. We should remember the often quoted, “Two wrongs don’t make a right,” and treat people the way we would have them treat us (Matthew 7:12). We are to make every effort to get along with others, even those who are difficult. We must trust God to deal with the evil around us and to administer discipline where it is needed. In fact, we are to extend hospitality even to our enemies, people we feel will never be our friends. We do good to extend the hospitality of food and drink to our friends when they are in need, but the Word says to do this for our enemies. Both here in Romans 12 and in Proverbs 25:21-22 we are told that being hospitable to our enemy will “heap burning coals on his head.” We’re not sure what all that entails, but we are sure it will help him or her to think about the way they’ve acted. The Proverbs passage goes on to say that “the Lord will reward you” for this kindness. We conquer evil by continuing to do good. We subdue wrath with a soft answer (Proverbs 15:1). We prevail over our enemies with love and prayer (Matthew 5:43-44). We are victorious and are recognized as God’s children when we strive to be peacemakers (Matthew 6:9).

Father, help us to stop and pray when we feel anger welling up inside us. Help us to trust You rather than to retaliate on our own when someone hurts us. Give us the strength to show kindness to those who would never show kindness to us. Help us to truly understand how to overcome evil with good.