Good
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
It was only natural. If you reasonably consider the situation you would have to agree that it was a totally justified response. I was, after all, minding my own business with no evil intent whatsoever, and it wasn’t until I was so rudely interrupted from my significantly important Broncos playoff game focus that I came unglued. Also, I’m sure it had nothing to do with the fact that my guys were managing to let defeat overtake them in the fourth quarter after leading most of the game. It was just wrong that I should have to leave my established position on the couch with my chips and coke to jump up right now and finish unloading the car- something that could obviously be done by all the other creatures in the house that weren’t nearly as occupied as I was. There was just no way I was moving till the game was over, and I made sure that this inconsiderate, demeaning, and disrespecting request would never be made again- or so was the intention of my response. I discovered, however, that the atmosphere I thought was filled with evil tension by the simple request for help was magnified in its intensity by the wrongness of my response. Not only did I fail to overcome, but I ended up being so overcome by the ensuing conflict that I totally missed out on my team’s last second conquest.
Okay, let’s try this another way- same situation, but with a simple change. Somehow, miraculously, from the overflow of love that filled my heart, before the car’s engine was even turned off, during a commercial break, I burst out the door with a welcoming smile on my face. I had everything brought into the house, gave a kiss to my wife and was back on the couch without missing a single moment of the game’s dramatic ending. Not only was I not overcome by what was perceived as evil in the first scenario, but any opportunity for that conflict to arise was eliminated by the choice for good. I got to enjoy both the game and the affection of my wife without a single challenge to my heart’s condition due to strife.
There is this natural human response driven by a notion that once something has been done to us, to offend us or cause us the least discomfort we have the right and ability to correct that wrong with a rebuke or wrongful act of our own. As soon as an evil has come our way, we have the right, no the obligation, to combat that dastardly thing with a little dish of our own. If we’re ever made to feel disrespected our looked down upon, there is sufficient validation for the warfare of words. That person is going to pay highly for their evil ways, whether they know it or not, and we’ll have taught them a thing or two.
In reality, there is an evil that is continually attempting to overcome us, but evil words spoken against us and evil deeds done will never have the power in themselves to overthrow us. Like the dark side of the force depicted in the Star Wars movies, the defeat that is most important to our enemy is the defeat that comes to us when we submit to his ways and his evil response. The only scheme or weapon he has that will effectively achieve his dominion over us is the deception that in order to win we must join forces with him. To grow in the ability to respond in love and mercy in every situation, then, is to overcome in every situation and be more than an conqueror through Him that loved us. (Romans 8:37)
Though reflexes, emotions, pride, and ego would cry out for vengeance and reciprocating actions, the action and the response that comes from the Father of light is a good action, one that will not only cause us to triumph with it, but actually bring salvation and wholeness to the situation. Today is a day growing in the ‘good’ response. Judgment, peace, and pure enjoyment in living is certain when the Father’s response becomes our response. May goodness and turning of the cheek bring overcoming power to every aspect of life today for the glory of the One from whom all blessings flow.
Matthew 5:39-48 Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.
“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’
I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best–the sun to warm and the rain to nourish–to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you. (The Message)
