how to defeat evil

In the beginning, life was good—perfect in body and soul. In fact, God created everything and saw it as good.

Alas, that perfection is shattered when two men made in God's image are tempted by the enemy to further question God's goodness and His reliability. Adam and Eve chose to disregard God's command, and plucked the only forbidden fruit in the garden to eat, thus opening their eyes to see two opposing forces: good and evil.

The battle between good and evil is not just an overarching theme in the Bible, it is a universal theme that cuts across geography, culture and national borders. It's been featured in books and movies, and it happens in real life from time to time. And what makes it so penetrating is that the battle between good and evil is really going on.

For thousands of years, we have been co-existing in this beautiful but corrupt world. There is no doubt that the kingdom of light is still at war with the kingdom of darkness.

The apostle Paul counseled the Roman believers on this subject when he wrote:

"Be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21)

In the same chapter, Paul spells out practical ways how to live out this principle: Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. By genuinely loving others, blessing those who persecute you, and not repaying evil for evil.

This could be forgiving someone who has hurt you; being kind to a stranger; or supporting the poor, marginalized, and disadvantaged. Conquering evil with good requires sacrifice and surrender. That often means saying “no” to our human desire for revenge and punishment, and choosing to serve the brokenhearted humbly; just as Jesus humbly died to serve us.

Indeed, we all have an enemy - one whose mission is to steal, butcher and destroy; to confuse, distort and divide; to deceive, distract and dismantle.

But more importantly, we have a God—whose mission is to redeem, restore, and restore. He is good at putting the broken things back together. He can bring the dead back to life and make all things new.

So, when you see evil wreaking havoc around the world, in the lives of those around you, and even in your own heart, remember...God is stronger. God is greater. You are not alone. And because we already know how the story ends, we can confidently win this battle!

Just as darkness cannot exist under the shining of light, evil cannot rage under the restraint of good. So think today about ways you can overcome evil by doing good to those around you.