Overcome Evil

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

Romans 12:21

After 20 weeks, we have come to the end of our study in Romans 12. We have mediated on each verse in this chapter, turning it over in our minds, and considering the meaning and implications of it. We now come to the final verse in our study. This seems like a straightforward verse, what can we glean from it?
 
First, this verse begins with a warning, “Do not be overcome by evil.” Why would Paul say that? Quite simply, it is very possible for us to be deceived by evil or give in to sin. Consider some of the other warnings in the Bible. “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor 6:9-10)” The Bible warns us that we can lie to ourselves and be overcome by evil thinking that God a person can live a life of open rebellion in flagrant sin and think that he is going to heaven. A person must come to Christ with open hands, letting go of known sin in his life with a repentant heart to truly become a child of God.
 
But the warnings are not only for non-Christians. Paul warns believers, “Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’ (1 Cor 15:33)” Like our opening verse, we don’t want to believe that we can become overcome by evil. The Bible tells us to “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. (Prov 4:23)” Our lives are influenced by those around us with whom we are close to. If your friends are not close to the Lord, it is very possible that your love will also grow cold. If your closest friends are not Christians, you may slowly be drawn into their habits and behaviors. You will become like those who are closest to you.
 
Paul also warns us that there are natural and spiritual consequences to our lives. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. (Gal 6:7)” He tells us if we so to our flesh we will reap corruption but if we so to the Spirit we will reap eternal life. It is not that our good works save us or in some way add to our salvation. How we live, the choices we make, the desires in our hearts reflect if we truly know Christ or not. A person who has been spiritually born again is a changed person and his life will reflect that. As we saw in the Corinthian passage, we should not deceive ourselves if there are no signs of spiritual life.
 
In fact, Paul warns, “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Eph 5:6)” There are people all around us that say it doesn’t matter what you do or that God doesn’t care because he just loves everyone regardless. Even some Christian preachers tell us that God wants us healthy, wealthy, and wise. If we were truly wise, we would know that our life does not consist of the abundance of our possessions. Repeatedly we see in the Bible that believers can be deceived and be overcome by evil if they do not humbly follow Christ with the fellowship of believers.
 
There is a positive side to this verse that I do not want us to miss. God honors our faithfulness and uses it to impact the lives of others. Jesus says, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matt 5:16)” God is always at work reaching the lost and building up believers and he wants to use you to accomplish his purpose. When you are faithful, they can try to malign your name or persecute you for your faith but ultimately God will use your faithfulness in the lives of others.