OVERCOME TOGETHER
I've read or heard the word "evil" be used this past week more than ever before in my lifetime. The last time the word “evil” was used this much was on 9/11.
What is evil? Acts, intentions, or forces that are morally or spiritually corrupt, wicked, or harmful, and are in opposition to principles of goodness and righteousness. As a theological concept, evil refers to the presence or manifestation of moral or spiritual corruption, wickedness, or malevolence in opposition to God’s will and the principles of goodness, righteousness, and holiness as revealed in Scripture and Christian tradition. -LOGOS
A discernment for evil also implies a discernment of good. And this means there is a re-emergence of a moral conscience, or at least an opportunity to speak to hearts on this subject. And this is the opportunity I want to seize.
I first noticed this re-emergence of a moral conscience in our nation a couple of months ago. Do you recall the couple at the Coldplay concert caught in their affair? As the news spread across the country about this couple, so did the condemnation of their sinful acts from everyone. While everyone is right in discerning that their behavior is wrong, I found it quite interesting to choose this public and shameful moment, but completely ignore condemning movies, pornography, and lifestyles that portray adultery as common, justified, or encouraged.
And then there was the school shooting in Minnesota and the very public and tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk…These tragic events have impacted the hearts of many, prompting them to recognize the evil in our world. Some hearts are hardening, but I see more hearts being sensitive and conscientious. Don’t let all the extra attention on negative reactions eclipse the good. “Do you know what’s driving people to consider Christianity? Evil. There’s too much evil in the world.” -Frank Turek
Hearts are being re-sensitized, but they also need to be renewed. To be renewed means to be made brand new. The power to renew or transform cannot be found in human origin, which is corrupted by sin and evil. A human heart needs renewal by a holiness that is perfect, greater than, and capable of covering over all human wickedness and immorality. This power is the righteousness of Christ. Those whose hearts are being pricked and re-sensitized by the events in our world need the church to connect the dots back to the life, resurrection, and righteousness of Jesus Christ, namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ. When the Bible says make the most of every opportunity, this is that moment where the church can connect the dots and bring the goodness of God to a hurting world. We have an opportunity to seize.
Scripture: Romans 12:21
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Do not be overcome by evil…means “do not let evil influence you to commit evil…”
This is supported by the context. Romans 12:17-20: 17 Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. 18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
The Apostle Paul does not explain what he means explicitly, but the context helps us know what he means. When evil comes to our doorstep or to those we love, we do not respond with more evil. Responding with evil is never the answer. The testimony that we must live is God-honoring and God’s goodness, in the face of evil done to us. Do all that you can to live in peace…which requires us to withhold how we may want to respond to live amongst others in peace. As savory as revenge may be…leave that to the “righteous anger” of God. In other words, leave it to the One who is perfect, holy, and sinless, the perfect justice of God.
The Greek word for "overcome" is "nikao," which means to conquer or prevail. This is what the brand Nike means: to overcome or defeat your opponent in sports. For Christians, we are called to conquer evil not by force, but through the power of good.
“The infliction of vengeance is not a sign of strength, but of weakness. To repress the desire for revenge is to gain a victory over self, which is not only nobler in itself, but will also be much more effectual. It will disarm the enemy, and turn him into a friend.” -Charles Ellicott
“The last verse suggests what is not easily understood by the world; that in all strife and contention, those that revenge are conquered, and those that forgive are conquerors. Be not overcome of evil. Learn to defeat ill designs against you, either to change them, or to preserve your own peace. He that has this rule over his spirit, is better than the mighty.” -Matthew Henry
“You will heap burning coals of shame over their heads.” Paul quotes Proverbs 25:21-22 and expresses a radical grace and love in response. If your enemy is in need, attempt to meet that need, showing grace in response to their evil in hopes it will burn in their mind and heart a posture of sorrow and repentance.
Some take this expression to mean, “that showing kindness is the best and most effective way to overcome those who hurt or oppose us. Gracious actions will sometimes ‘bother’ them more than we seek revenge. Choosing to show grace may win them over to a favorable relationship. Others interpret the passage in relation to an ancient Egyptian ritual in which a guilty person, as a sign of repentance, carried a basin of hot coals on his head. In this case, the meaning would be that showing kindness to any enemy may cause him to change. Either way, doing good to our enemies–repaying evil with good–may cause them to be ashamed of their hurtful actions. As a result of our gracious example, they may later open their lives to God and receive his forgiveness. But even if our enemies remain hostile toward us, God will still reward our kind actions.” -Firebible, page 938.
Do not be overcome by evil, relationally
This scripture is in the context of relationships in the church, but it appears this portion of scripture is addressing anything that may come against the church. The goal is not to let evil stir us up to commit evil, but instead to show radical love, in hopes that enemies we face will be overcome to repentance and even salvation.
We overcome evil by embracing those who think and live differently from us. We should welcome conversations where we can process, including differences, and speak to hearts, the truth in love. Enemies can become friends, but we have to not let evil overcome those opportunities.
There's an African proverb that I think expresses beautifully just how important this face-to-face kind of friendship is: "When I saw you from afar, I thought you were a monster. When you got closer, I thought you were just an animal. When you got even closer, I saw that you were a human, but when we were face-to-face, I realized that you were my brother. -African Proverb
But overcome evil by doing good
The context helps us define what is meant by the word “good.” Goodness is the opposite of evil. In this context, goodness is kindness, forgiveness, and mercy in response to an evil done to us or someone we love or the family of God.
“‘But overcome evil with good’ - That is, subdue or vanquish evil by doing good to others. Show them the loveliness of a better spirit; the power of kindness and benevolence; the value of an amiable, Christian deportment. So doing, you may disarm them of their rage, and be the means of bringing them to better minds.” -Albert Barnes
“This is the noble and grand sentiment of the Christian religion. Nothing like this is to be found in the pagan classics, and nothing like it ever existed among pagan nations. Christianity alone has brought forth this lovely and mighty principle, and one design of it is to advance the welfare of man by promoting peace, harmony, and love. The idea of "overcoming evil with good" never occurred to people until the gospel was preached. It has never been acted on except under the influence of the gospel. On this principle God shows kindness; on this principle the Saviour came, and bled, and died; and on this principle all Christians should act in treating their enemies, and in bringing a world to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. If Christians will show benevolence, if they will send forth proofs of love to the ends of the earth, the evils of the world will be overcome. Nor can the nations be converted until Christians act on this great and most important principle of their religion, "on the largest scale possible," to ‘overcome evil with good.’” -Albert Barnes
But overcome evil by doing good
The context helps us define what is meant by the word “good.” Goodness is the opposite of evil. In this context, goodness is kindness, forgiveness, and mercy in response to an evil done to us or someone we love or the family of God.
“‘But overcome evil with good’ - That is, subdue or vanquish evil by doing good to others. Show them the loveliness of a better spirit; the power of kindness and benevolence; the value of an amiable, Christian deportment. So doing, you may disarm them of their rage, and be the means of bringing them to better minds.” -Albert Barnes
“This is the noble and grand sentiment of the Christian religion. Nothing like this is to be found in the pagan classics, and nothing like it ever existed among pagan nations. Christianity alone has brought forth this lovely and mighty principle, and one design of it is to advance the welfare of man by promoting peace, harmony, and love. The idea of "overcoming evil with good" never occurred to people until the gospel was preached. It has never been acted on except under the influence of the gospel. On this principle God shows kindness; on this principle the Saviour came, and bled, and died; and on this principle all Christians should act in treating their enemies, and in bringing a world to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. If Christians will show benevolence, if they will send forth proofs of love to the ends of the earth, the evils of the world will be overcome. Nor can the nations be converted until Christians act on this great and most important principle of their religion, "on the largest scale possible," to ‘overcome evil with good.’” -Albert Barnes
Doing good is not just in response to evil. We are called to be a people who are proactively delivering the goodness of God to our society! What good are you currently doing on behalf of God for your community? What good are you doing to stem the tide of evil? And are you willing to do the long game and build something good for years and stick out until you see results?
Do not be overcome by evil, emotionally…
Do not be overcome by evil does not mean…“Do not be overwhelmed emotionally by evil.” But let me say something. It can be overwhelming but only if we look at all the evil without knowledge of God and faith in God. If we view evil as greater than God and that God isn’t going to do anything about it then yes, I could see why someone would be full of despair and emotionally overwhelmed. This would lead us to let evil overcome us because it would make us believe a lie and be frozen in fear and despair. It is in these moments that we must be reminded of the gospel…
In reflection of the resurrection of Christ, God gives us these words in the Bible: 1 Corinthians 15:55-57 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 John 5:4-5 For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
The disciples of Jesus were overwhelmed by the idea of Jesus leaving them and going to the Father. They needed the comfort of His ongoing presence, and he finishes this conversation with these words in John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.
We are more than conquerors (Romans 8:31-39)! We overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony (Revelation 12:11).
Church, do not be overcome or overwhelmed by evil. Instead, proactively bring the goodness of God into our community. Things are all crazy around you? That’s okay, you’re in this for the long haul. You’re focused on the gospel and people’s eternity. You keep serving, you keep mentoring youth, you keep teaching kids, you keep volunteering. Focus on showing the goodness of God in your home, in your friendships, and in your workplaces.
Altar response
Do not be overcome by sin…be forgiven and saved!
If your heart has been opening up to God more and more, then know this…you still must be renewed and transformed by Jesus Christ. Ezekiel 11:19 says, "I will give them a new heart and a new mind. I will take away their stubborn heart of stone and give them an obedient heart".
How? Put your faith in Jesus. John 1:12-But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
Discussion
What is one thing from the message that resonated with you?
How do you define evil?
Why do people sometimes condemn evil in one area but ignore it in others?
What stands out to you most in Paul’s instructions about responding to evil in Romans 12:17-21?
How does leaving vengeance to God free us emotionally and spiritually?
Pastor Ryan explained that the Greek word nikao means “to conquer or prevail.” What does it mean for Christians to conquer evil not with force but with goodness?
What does the African proverb shared in today’s message teach us about how face-to-face relationships break down barriers?
How do you keep from being overwhelmed emotionally by evil in the world?
How do we ensure our own lives are not compromised by evil while we seek to confront it?
What additional notes did you make during the sermon?
What can we pray for regarding the sermon? Do you have any prayer needs?
The most important decision you will ever make!
If you’re ready to trust in Jesus for salvation and eternal life, we encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready, say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you decided to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!