Thursday, August 27, 2026

Scripture

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

Reflections

Overcoming evil is not easy to do.  For example, something bad happens to you.  You get angry.  The next thing you know you’re trying to get even.  Evil gets repaid with evil.  The evil one preys upon our weaknesses to make things go from bad to worse.

Jesus teaches a better way.  The Apostle Paul, in this text from Romans, reiterates Jesus’ teaching.  Instead of trying to satisfy our desire for retribution, we can do the absolute opposite.  Instead of hating the other person, we can choose to love.  Paul says, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink” (v. 20).  When we do so, we learn to see the goodness of God in even those who are our enemies.  Our hearts are changed.

When evil is overcome with good, others will have occasion to stop and think.  Our actions will expose their wrong.  They may come to the realization that their way was not so good.  They may start wondering what makes us so different.  They may come to discover Jesus through us.

The wrongs of this world will never be made right by simply repeating the same wrongs.  We need something else to break into the cycle of hatred and retribution.  We need the way of Jesus.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for teaching me your better way.  I invite your Spirit to be at work through me this day so that I might do that which does not always come easily to me.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Full Reading: Romans 12:9-21