WHY YOU CAN'T OVERCOME EVIL WITH EVIL

     

   Do you ever wonder why things go from bad to worse when you return evil for evil. Prior to the exchange, the thinking always is that returning evil for evil will protect you against the other party. It will stop them from taking an undue advantage of you or that it will be a deterrent to the other party. Unfortunately the expected result is not always the case. Rather than an experience of peace, things always go from bad to worse. The scripture teaches, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  (Rom 12:21 NIV).

     We are overcome by evil when we succumb to Satan’s desire for us to return evil for evil. A sin done against us always opens door to death (i.e. the power of Satan) in our relationship with the sinner (Rom 5:12). Sin always put the power of Satan to work in the things that relate to the sinner. When the offended party returns evil for the evil, he opens a fresh door for death in that situation. Consequently things go from bad to worse. This is why it is impossible to overcome evil with evil; rather evil for evil relationships deepens the operation of the power of Satan in that relationship or situation. The bible says that as children of God, we overcome evil with good.
     When we chose to obey God and return good for evil, we open a door to life in that very situation. Every good  done in obedience to Jesus releases the power of life that swallows up death.  This is why the bible says “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” (Pro 15:1 KJV). Life that is released through a soft answer destroys the power of  death that came with a quarrelsome person.
    The promise of God in the Bible is that "Evildoers will bow down in the presence of the good, and the wicked at the gates of the righteous." (Pro 14:19 NIV). Why evil bows before the presence of the good is because the power of Jesus is activated through righteousness. When we confront evil with good, we open a door for Jesus to wield the scepter of His Kingdom over the situation. God in the book of Hebrews said concerning Jesus "...Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom." (Heb 1:8 NIV). When we obey Jesus and return good for evil, we unleash the power of Jesus to swallow up the power of Satan in that situation just as Moses' rod swallowed up the rod of the magicians.   
       Choosing always to see things God’s way and obey him rather than decide to handle things your own way always bring life and peace. The scripture says “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”(Rom 8:6 KJV).
       Let us go out there and overcome evil in our family, neighborhood, work place, church, cities and country with good through the power of the Holy Spirit. Let's be the change we want to see in the world. Be renewed and empowered in Jesus name.

written by Ifiok Ukobo