CONQUER EVIL WITH GOOD

DEVOTION FOR WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 28, 2016

Topic: CONQUER EVIL WITH GOOD     

Text: Romans 12:19 – 21                     

Rom. 12:6–21 states how we can live well as Christians. When someone hurts you deeply, instead of retaliating, Paul says you should befriend him. Reasons why we should forgive someone who hurts us are (1) forgiveness can break a cycle of reprisal and lead to mutual reconciliation. (2) It can make the enemy feel ashamed and change his or her ways. (3) By contrast, repaying evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy. You should understand that even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness. Family Bible Notes says, “Kindness towards enemies is a most likely means of making them friends; and if it does not have this effect, but they continue obstinately and wickedly to be enemies to their benefactors, they will ripen for aggravated ruin.”

We shouldn’t allow evil to rule over us (Gen. 4:6). According to Life Application Notes, “Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions. If you find it difficult to feel forgiving toward someone who has hurt you, try responding with kind actions. If appropriate, tell this person that you would like to heal your relationship. Lend a helping hand. Send him or her, a gift. Smile at him or her. Many times you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings.” These words are hard to perform for an enemy but that is what will mark you out as a Christian. Anything short puts question mark on your Christianity.

Action: Write down five ways you can conquer evil

Memory verse: Romans 12 verse 21

Prayer: God, I need the grace to develop self-control and conquer evil with good.