Overcome

 Romans 12:21 ESV

 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.


Our gut reaction when someone does evil to us is to do evil back to them- with interest! The problem is that when we do so, we're allowing ourselves to be overcome by evil. We should leave revenge to God.

Nowadays, a common response to perceived evils is to 'ghost' or to 'cancel' someone. The Apostle Paul seems to suggest that that's probably not the best reaction. Instead, we should strive to do good to those who do evil to us.

Elsewhere we're told to feed and water our enemies. In so doing well metaphorically 'heap burning coals' on them. We make them feel guilty about their evils towards us.

Jesus is the ultimate example of this verse. He seemed to be overcome by evil at the cross. Yet at the resurrection he overcame evil with hope for all who trust in him.

'God, please help us to overcome evil with good. Thank you that you have, in Christ crucified, in whose name we ask, amen'.

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