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Part 4: Facing Evil With Good

ROMANS 12: RELATIONSHIPS MATTER

PART 4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 (NIV)

  • The Cross changes all of our relationships.  

1. WHAT IS “OVERCOMING EVIL WITH GOOD”?

  • It’s not: Being passive toward evil.

  • It is:

    -aggressively…forgiving.

    -aggressively destroying evil’s power over you.

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is Mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him;    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’” Romans 12:19-20 (NIV)

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18 (NIV)

2. HOW DO YOU OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD?

    Four ways:

  • Hate evil.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.” Romans 12:9 (NIV)

  • Have a humble spirit.

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” Romans 12:16 (NIV)

  • Words of blessing.

“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.” Romans 12:14 (NIV)

  • A forgiving heart.

“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (NIV)

3. WHERE IS THE POWER TO OVERCOME EVIL WITH GOOD?

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” Romans 12:1 (NIV)

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.  We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on Him  the iniquity of us all.”    Isaiah 53:5-6 (NIV)

  • Love and justice are always costly:


    -It will cost you to     forgive.

    -To come to Jesus means you lay down your pride.

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS: 

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This week’s Reading Plan and blog/podcast:

  • YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan:
    “Love One Another”  (5 days) 

  • Blog and Podcast: Don’t Be Overcome by Evil

Relationships MatterDr. John Gerlach