Have you experienced bad things happening? Have you seen evil in this world? Have you done anything to oppose evil? Or have you allowed evil to creep into your life? Do you long for justice to be done? Would you like to convert bad people to good?
Bad things happen in our world. We may have had bad things happen to us. We may have seen bad things happen to others. We know there are bad people. We try to avoid them. But evil exists in the world, and we cannot always avoid it.
The Apostle Paul tells us to overcome it with good. That may sound like a wishful dream. We may think we do not have the strength for that. We would be right. But God can and has overcome evil. Paul tells us how we can work along with God. First, we are not to avenge evil ourselves but leave it to God (v.19).
Paul gives us several things we CAN do. Bless them (v. 14), think what is noble (v. 17), feed them (v. 20), and give them something to drink (v. 20). His advice may seem odd or out of place. It may seem to be counterintuitive. But we must remember that Jesus came into this world to turn it on its head.
Often, it is by showing kindness to someone that we help them step away from evil. Many people who have a bad attitude, do bad things, or are downright mean have not experienced the love of God. We can show it to them by doing what Paul tells us to do. Drawing them away from evil may not happen overnight, but if we are persistent and pray that God work in their lives, we will see them turn from darkness and into the light.
I pray we all adhere to Paul’s advice. I pray we seek to do good to ALL people. I pray each one of us will leave vengeance to God and pursue being noble in thought. Seek to do good. Seek to live in harmony. Bless others. Think noble thoughts. Feed your enemy. Give them something to drink. Be like Jesus.
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Marty Pressey 