Overcome Evil with Good - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - September 20, 2024

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 (NIV) 

As October approaches, we find ourselves surrounded by the sights and sounds of Halloween. From spooky decorations to entertainment with horror themes, Halloween is a season when we can become more aware of the reality of evil in our fallen world. Evil can seem overwhelming – whether it’s hatred, injustice, physical violence, or spiritual attacks. However, God calls us to respond to this awareness not with fear but with faith in him to help us fight evil with the power of good. 

Evil is real, but so is God’s goodness – and God’s good power is much stronger than any evil we face. As God’s children in relationship with Jesus, we have the power to overcome evil. We can always fight back against evil and win. Our good God helps us shine the light of good into the darkness of evil around us. In the face of evil, God’s goodness shines as a beacon of hope. God’s love is unconditional, God’s power is limitless, and God’s grace is abundant. The Holy Spirit empowers believers to overcome evil and live a life of righteousness. Throughout history, we have seen countless examples of God’s goodness triumphing over evil. 

Jesus is the ultimate example of overcoming evil with good. He confronted evil with love, forgiveness, and the power of the Holy Spirit. His work to save us from sin was the ultimate victory over evil, demonstrating God’s complete triumph over darkness. By following Jesus' example, we can learn to overcome evil in our own lives. 

There are many ways we can overcome evil with good. We can fill our minds with the truth of God’s Word by reading the Bible, memorizing verses, and applying its wisdom to the decisions we make. We can pray for God’s protection over our lives and ask God for discernment to recognize how to best resist evil in our lives. We can be intentional about choosing words of hope, encouragement, and truth in our conversations with people and our interactions on social media. We can serve others through intentional acts of kindness that spread God’s light in this dark world. We can rely on God’s strength to help us forgive the people who have hurt us, showing them grace because God has shown us grace. 

Goodness is not just the absence of evil; it’s an active force that reflects the character of God. When we choose to overcome evil with good, we aren’t just avoiding sin; we’re actively participating in the work of God’s kingdom. We’re reflecting the holy heart of our Savior, who went about doing good and proclaiming the kingdom of God in ways that made powerful, positive change happen. Jesus confronted evil head-on – not with violence or hatred, but with love, sacrifice, and truth. Jesus calls us to follow his example in our own lives. We shouldn’t allow evil to overcome us. Instead, we should take action every day to do whatever God leads us to do with his power flowing through our lives, and that will help us overcome evil with good. 

During the Halloween season – and every day of the year – let’s remember that God has given us the power to overcome evil with good. Let’s embrace that calling with confidence, knowing that the light of God’s love shines brightly in the darkness. 

Let’s pray:

Dear God, thank you for the reminder that I am not powerless in the face of evil. Your Word promises that I can overcome evil with good, and I choose to stand on that truth today. As I encounter the darkness in this world, especially during the Halloween season, help me to respond with the light of your love. Fill my heart with your goodness, and guide my steps as I seek to reflect your character in all that I do. Give me the courage to fill my mind with your Word, to pray for your protection, and to do acts of kindness that glorify you. Let my words be life-giving and my actions be a testimony to your grace. Help me celebrate the light and life that comes from knowing you and share that hope with others. Thank you for always empowering me to overcome evil and do good in this world. Amen.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/DjelicS

Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on  X/Twitter.

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