Overcome Evil With Good Series

We are not to trade jabs with people. We are not to trade evil for evil. We are to show love even in the face of evil. In other words, seek peace with all men. If at all possible, as much as it is within your ability, seek out peace. Paul understands that peace isn’t always going to be possible because some people are just plain evil and selfish and mean. But we as believers have a responsibility to strive for peace. Conflict shouldn’t be a result of our actions.

Do you have enemies? Are there relationships that are in a constant state of conflict? Are there situations that just make your stomach ache when you think about them? Have you done everything you can to seek out peace? Have you humbled yourself, offered a truce, or been willing to talk things out? As much as it is up to you, strive for peace with all men.

Finally, Paul caps this off by reminding us not to seek out revenge. Revenge is another one of those natural reflexes that we feel when we are wronged. We want to do something to get back at the person who hurt us. There is something sick, yet cathartic about getting revenge on someone.

I read a story about a clerk at a department store who was ringing up a ladies purchases. As the lady reached into her purse to get her wallet the cashier noticed a large remote control sticking out. The cashier asked, “Do you always take you remote shopping?” The lady replied, “No, but my husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally.”

That’s just cold. Hopefully I didn’t give any of you ladies any ideas. You guys should probably go out and buy a universal remote as a back up just in case.

If your enemy is hungry, don’t eat a sandwich in front of them, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them a drink. Instead of trying to punish them , help them. It says that when we respond with love to someone’s hatred it will “heap burning coals on their head”. This is a reference to a custom where someone would walk around with a plate of hot coals on their head as a sign of shame and contrition.

The idea is that your love will make them realize how shameful their hatred is. It will reveal their pettiness. Don’t lower yourself to the level of hatred and revenge, no matter how good it might feel. Leave vengeance up to God. If you’ve read any of the OT you know that God doesn’t mess around. He will take care of business for you.

In every single area of your life you need to be actively striving to overcome evil with good. We need to be replacing bad stuff with good stuff wherever we go. We need to spread positive attitudes, encouragement, love, grace, patience, forgiveness, and humility to everyone who comes into contact with us.

It starts with a change in your personal life, then it flows into your service in the church, then it overflows out to your other relationships, and it even comes out in your responses to people who give you a hard time.

As you go out from here today don’t be overcome by the evil you come into contact with, but overcome that evil with good.