Everyone knows what's wrong

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. — Romans 12:21    

Glance at any newspaper and the headlines tell you what’s wrong with the world. Watch television, listen to the radio, talk to friends, and you will find no shortage of opinions as to what is wrong on planet Earth. That’s because pointing out what’s wrong is easy.

When terrorists hijacked passenger planes and slammed them into the Pentagon, two New York skyscrapers and a Pennsylvania field, the world quickly called it evil. The destructive power of this epic evil event made people feel paralyzed and helpless. And that’s what evil does best; it makes us feel powerless.

But we’re not. Most of us experience evil on a smaller, more personal scale. And for us, the apostle Paul outlined the proper response. He said we are to abhor evil (Rom. 12:9), not to repay it with more evil (v. 17), and not to be overcome by it (v. 21).

The true victim of evil is goodness — the goodness that God designed as part of creation for everyone to enjoy (Gen. 1:4-3). It is surprising then when Paul concludes that the casualty of evil is also its conqueror (Rom. 12:21).

Evil gets all the headlines, but God’s goodness is stronger and He wants us to use it on His behalf to overcome His enemy. — Julie Ackerman Link                  

For Further Thought

If in your personal life you’re facing the effects of someone’s evil actions, these Scriptures may be helpful: Prov. 20:22; Matt. 5:38-48; 1 Thess. 5:15; 1 Peter 3:8-17

READ: Romans 12:14-21

As light overcomes darkness, goodness can overcome evil.

The Bible in one year:

• Proverbs 10-12

• 2 Corinthians 4