When we let love lead our responses, even when there is division, we will not be overcome by evil.
Since the fall in the Garden of Eden, sin entered our world, and with it, of course, evil. It’s interesting how the definition of sin closely relates to the definition of evil. Sin, as defined by Google's online dictionary, is “an immoral act considered to be a transgression against divine law,” whereas the definition of the word evil, found from the same source, is, “profoundly immoral and wicked.” Basically, it is sin on steroids.
In this sin-sick world, all of us have been touched by evil in one form or another. What is profound for one person might not be as profound for another, but it is still evil nonetheless. With the age of the internet and news outlets reporting from all ends of the earth, we are exposed to evil on a daily basis. Those of us who are empaths feel this evil more than others, even though it isn’t directly affecting us.
Whether we are the victim of evil or whether we are apprised of evil, the way we as believers in Christ Jesus respond must be in a way that honors God and brings Him Glory.
The Apostle Paul instructs us in Romans 12:9b to “abhor what is evil; cling to what is good,” and in Romans 12:14 to “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” The last admonition is a hard one, isn’t it? We naturally want to see justice served. We want to see a person punished for the evil they have inflicted upon us.
So how do we get to a place where our response is of blessing rather than cursing or revenge? The Apostle Paul encourages us in Romans 12:19-21 by saying, “Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. 'But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
That last phrase really struck me, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” So how can we apply this admonition in our own lives as believers in Christ Jesus? By navigating evil. You might ask, “What does that even mean?” Google's online dictionary defines the word "navigate" as “[to] plan and direct the route or course of a ship, aircraft, or other form of transportation, especially by using instruments or maps.” In the same manner, a captain of a vessel needs instruments and maps to navigate their course, we as believers need prayer and the Bible to help us navigate this life, especially when it comes to evil. Evil is the hardest thing for believers to exist with. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and as such, we have been made new to abhor evil.
Let’s look at ways to navigate the evil of this world as believers in Christ Jesus:
When You Find It Hard to Forgive
Forgiveness against evil isn’t easy, is it? Especially, if the person continues the same bad behavior multiple times. But our Lord Jesus tells us to “forgive seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21-22). When we hold unforgiveness in our hearts it leads to bitterness. In Acts 8:23, the Apostle Peter says, “For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” When we have the root of bitterness in our hearts, sin will spring forth. So then, are we any better than the person who committed evil against us?
Someone very close to me went through a very difficult marriage and subsequently a very difficult divorce, but the evil against her didn’t end there. It continued post-divorce. About a year and a half after the divorce was finalized, the Lord convicted her to pray that her ex-husband would re-dedicate his life to Christ. As she began to pray in this manner, the bitterness and unforgiveness she experienced began to subside. Not only that, but soon after she began praying for her ex-husband, his life blew up. In what turned out to be a stunning turn of events, he ended up having to walk through and experience the pain of everything he had done/was doing to his ex-wife. As a result of his painful circumstances, he spent time reflecting and finally realized for himself that he had done exactly those things to his ex-wife. He ended up calling her and in tears gave her the apology she never thought she would get. He acknowledged all that he had done to her in the past.
This goes back to that verse, “Overcome evil with good.” We can only control our own responses to evil. The person in my story did not let herself be overcome by evil but instead prayed for her ex. Indeed, the Lord did repay all that was done to her by making her ex walk through the same exact thing he did to her, but God is also showing His mercy and goodness towards her ex-husband as it appears her prayers are starting to be answered as his eyes are being opened to his past sins. That’s where true repentance and healing begin.
When we maintain our own goodness and don't allow unforgiveness to consume us, the Lord will bless us in ways that exceed our expectations.
When There Is Division
Sadly, recently, we saw the devastating effects of division in our country with the attempted assassination of former President Trump and the resulting death of a husband and father of two young girls while several others were seriously injured.
I have been shocked by social media posts even from Christians that can seem so hateful. No matter what side of the aisle you are on, believers in Christ are called to a much higher standard as children of God. We shouldn’t be saying such cruel things, let alone thinking that a social media post is going to change someone’s mind.
This goes back to our main verse “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Yes, we all have very strong feelings about what is taking place in our country, but again, the way to navigate those feelings is by asking ourselves, "How would Jesus have us respond?" Romans 12:9-13 tells us, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”
When we let love lead our responses, even when there is division, we will not be overcome by evil.
When the Unimaginable Happens
This is probably the hardest evil to navigate—when the unimaginable happens. Since the beginning of time, man has been coming up with horrible forms of evil against each other. It is truly satanic in nature. Without going into the details of scenarios that could happen, we’ve all seen it through news outlets or experienced it for ourselves. Unimaginable evil exists in our world. So how do we navigate that? Not being overcome by evil means that we refuse to return evil for evil. But I believe it can also mean that we don't allow evil to consume us to the point that we are utterly wrecked by the evil we have experienced and lose our own will to live and love others.
Of course, there is the shock that comes with unimaginable circumstances. Of course, there is the profound grief that is only natural to feel. There could also be a post-traumatic response that could last for the rest of a person’s life, but God… He is our hope in all circumstances.
The Bible gives us hope and strength even when the unimaginable happens. John 16:33 says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Even though our minds and bodies feel profound effects when the unimaginable happens, Philippians 4:7 tells us, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We can still experience God’s peace even in the midst of unimaginable evil.
Think about Mary, the mother of God, who watched her son be tortured and hung on a cross, but God… He strengthened her and she continued to share His legacy. And certainly His disciples who watched in horror, still went on to share the gospel without fear and in the strength of the Lord. You may even know someone or have heard of someone who experienced an unimaginable evil, yet they ultimately turned it around by being an advocate to help others against that very same evil. Now that’s an application of “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
When we let our response to an unimaginable evil ultimately be one of overcoming evil with good, we will not only be a blessing to others, but the Lord will bless us abundantly.
Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” That is the hope we have when the days are evil. And Romans 21:4 promises us of the hope we have in heaven: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
This is our temporary home. May we navigate our course here by emulating the love and goodness of the Lord.
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Guille Pozzi
