“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
Defeat evil. Check. Okay, we’re done. We’ve spent two weeks looking at a list of bullet-point commands that describe what Christians do, what it means – specifically – to walk after Jesus.
This last one, though, sounds like something Uncle Ben would say to Peter Parker. It’s a heroic statement. After all these commands about setting ourselves aside for the good of others, about not getting even, about giving the bad guys drinks of water – we find out that the point is to defeat evil.
We’re not just following the selfless Son of God who died on the cross for our sin; we’re also following the powerful Son of God who defeated death. We’re following the King who will rule the universe forever.
Christians don’t let evil beat them by joining in the evil to win a false victory; they overwhelm evil by refusing to stop doing good, no matter what it costs. That’s how Jesus walked.
Think: Have you ever seen someone overcome evil by doing good? What might that look like in real life?
Pray: Ask God to help you not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good.
Do: Read Romans 13 to learn more about walking like Jesus.