ROMANS 12:21

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

Have you ever let your emotions get the best of you? You know what I mean. Something happens to upset you and before you know it, you have lost your cool and said or done something that you regret. Isn’t it best to stop and count to ten before you make a hasty, often regrettable decision? I have to count to 100 sometimes to calm myself down, lol.

In this last verse of chapter 12 of Romans, Paul wraps up his discussion of how to get along with others which he started back in verse 9. He has been giving us some very practical life skills on how to live with people, whether friends or enemies. In today’s verse, he uses a Greek verb which comes from a word we are very familiar with in the sports world. The word “overcome” is nikáō which comes “from níkē, (victory) – properly, conquer (overcome); to carry off the victory, come off victorious. The verb implies a battle” (HELPS Word-studies) We’ve all heard of Nike, right? What young boy hasn’t wanted a pair of Nike Air Jordans?

APPLICATION

Paul is telling us to not allow evil to gain victory over us, to conquer us. Instead, we are to conquer our inclinations toward evil by doing good. Remember yesterday’s verse? Do good to your enemies (give them food and water). By being intentional about doing good, the desire to do evil is conquered. This verb nikáō occurs 28 times in the New Testament. And get this – 14 of those times it occurs in Revelation. The last use is in Revelation 21:7 which says, “The one who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.” I just love that, don’t you?

The word used for “evil” is the same word Paul used back in verse 17. It’s the Greek word kakós which really refers to the inward evil in a person. Some would define this as having a morally rotten character. It differs from poneros which refers to the effects of evil. Paul is telling us to not let this morally corrupt evil overcome us. We need to reflect the opposite and portray the love of Christ toward our enemies.

You may have someone in your life right now who tempts you toward evil. You want to repay them for all they have done to you. You want to get even. You may even wish them harm. Repent of those thoughts and do as Paul instructs. Overcome evil with good. Pray for them. Do good to them. And watch how the Lord heals your heart toward them.

O God, it’s hard to love those who hate you, but Your Son did just that. Let me show that kind of love to everyone.

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