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

As we look around us, we may become more aware 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 a relationship with Him, we have the power to overcome evil, through Jesus. 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 brings peace to our hurting spirit, when we trust in Him, for "Greater is He that is in me, then he (Satan) that is in the world. 1 John 4:4

With God's help, we can confront 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, 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, reading our Bible 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 not only in our own lives, but 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. Even on the cross, Jesus looked up to His Father in Heaven and prayed that God would forgive his enemies... even those who nailed him to the cross! 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.

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.

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 this season, help me 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. Fill my mind with your Word, to do acts of kindness that glorify you. Let my words be life-giving and my actions be a testimony of your grace. I thank you for the light and life that comes from knowing you and share that hope with others. Thank you for empowering me to overcome evil and do good in this world. Amen.