Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21, The New International Version

The last verse of Romans chapter 12 warns us to be careful of becoming overcome by the evil in our world and in our hearts. I think we can all relate to this, especially in this pandemic season. It is easy to become frustrated and angry wondering sometimes if the evil in the world is going to take over.

The good news is that Paul reminds us of how we, as Christians, can overcome evil. The first step is to not allow it to take hold in our hearts. If we meditate upon the wicked and troublesome circumstances we face instead of meditating upon the Lord's truth and power, our hearts will be overcome. We instead can choose to pray and turn our burdens over to the Lord.

The second step is to fight back and gain victory with God's goodness and grace. We don't fight as the world fights. We present joy, truth, honor, love, peace, and uprightness into the world. Each day, as we see the enemy try to overcome our hearts and inject division and hate into the world, we can come to our heavenly Father and ask for His heart, wisdom, and strategy to inject love back into the world.

What victory shall we see? Will we allow our hearts to be overcome by the evil, or will we strike back with good and godliness? The choice is ours.

Love, Pastor Stuart