Friday, November 11, 2011
In Webster's American Dictionary of the English language
(1828) overcome means to conquer; to vanquish; to subdue; as, to
overcome enemies in battle. To surmount; to get the better of; as, to overcome
difficulties or obstacles. To gain the superiority; to be victorious.
Do not be overcome - This is not a "suggestion" but a command to be carried out at all
times. This command can be understood this way, "Stop being overcome by evil." The implication is that some are allowing this to happen in their lives. How can we stop? This text gives us some practical guidelines.In Verse 14 - Bless those who persecute you. Instead of speaking curses on someone, speak a blessing. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, commands us to pray for those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44).
In Verse 17 - Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate. When I take matters into my own hands, when I repay evil for evil, that is a natural thing to do. When I leave room for God to work, when I bless someone who does evil against me, that is a supernatural thing to do.
In Verse 21 - Overcome evil with good. The word "good"means profitable, benefiting others. The idea is to overcome evil with what is useful, beneficial or profitable to others.
Anyone can return good for good and evil for evil. But Paul is teaching that the only way to truly overcome evil is with good. If we return evil for evil, we only add fuel to the fire of the evil doer. George Washington Carver, once said, “I will never let another man ruin my life by making me hate him.” As a believer, Carver empowered by the Holy Spirit, would not allow evil to conquer him. Instead he chose to overcome evil with good. We can too. It is my prayer that we would put this verse into practice. I know God will be honored and we will be blessed.
Pastor Tim
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