This month, 18 years on, the world will once again reflect on the September 11, 2001 bombings when Islamic terrorists used aircraft as deadly weapons to bomb the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in the United States of America. Undeniably, evil was on show for all to see but the world rallied behind the US as it mourned the loss of thousands of its citizens.

Ten years later America responded. Special Forces killed Osama bin Laden, Al Qaeda leader and the alleged mastermind behind the September 11 bombings during an early morning raid on May 2, 2011 (approximately mid-afternoon on May 1 in the United States). Though debatable, many felt it was justifiable for the US government to seek vengeance for evil perpetuated against its citizens.

But what about Christians? Do we believe that we have to fight evil on its own playing field?  I say ‘no’, although I realize the vigilante spirit is alive and well in the church. As a result of sin, we retaliate against those who mistreat us, at times sanctifying our anger as righteous indignation. We behave as if we are wired to repay others for what they have done to us – to ‘return to sender’ the evil that was done to us.

One of the more radical biblical teachings about this is found in Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” Do we realize that by ‘doing good’, we are actually defeating evil? Yes. That’s because if we don’t follow Paul’s counsel, evil will spread. “An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.” When we do ‘good’ in the face of evil, it’s as if we are clearing a path to make redemption a possibility for someone else. Whether the person is changed or not is between them and God.

As Christians, our part is to never stop offering His goodness and kindness to our broken world. When we recognize how much the Devil wants us to play his game, we will also understand how acts of kindness and compassion throw a wrench into his most devious plans.

So how do we begin to overcome evil with good? What are some steps we could take?

 First Step  

I encourage everyone to think about the relevance of the Biblical teaching in Romans 12:21 in today’s world. Throughout the gospels, we are told that when Jesus saw the suffering of humanity, he was moved with compassion. While I am challenged by this, at times, I recognize that if I want to seek God’s Kingdom, then I must accept the values of His kingdom. One of these values is to overcome evil with good. Evil didn’t overcome Jesus, and if He is with us, we too will be over comers.

Next Steps

• Pray and Study the Bible

Having embraced Paul’s counsel, we need to seek guidance from God.  This can be done through prayer, and Bible study. We need to get down on your knees and ask God for strength to follow His example. On the cross, He prayed for his enemies who persecuted him: “Father, for giver them for they don’t know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Of our own, we can do nothing but we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Studying God’s word is also important as it allows us to benefit from the examples of those who went before us. In the book of Esther, for instance, Mordecai’s arch enemy Haman made gallows to hang him on, but through prayer and fasting and Esther’s bravery, Haman’s plan backfired. He died on his own gallows.

King Saul also relentlessly pursued David, his successor to kill him, and although David had several opportunities to get rid of Saul, he depended to God to thwart the plans of the soon to be ousted king.

When Potiphar’s wife lied about Joseph and got him thrown into prison, he didn’t seek revenge. When His brothers’ sold him into Egyptian bondage, he didn’t leave them to starve to death but provided rations throughout the famine that raged the land. In the end he became second in command to Pharaoh and as he said, “you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20, N.K.J.V).

Now contrast David’s actions against Uriah when he rendered evil for evil. After committing adultery with Bathsheba and getting her pregnant, he tried to get Uriah to sleep with Bathsheba so he could pin the pregnancy on Uriah. When that failed, he had Uriah killed on the front lines. David’s household paid dearly for this treachery. His two oldest sons died violent deaths as a result. One of his grandchildren was raped, and 10 of his concubines were raped in broad daylight in front of the entire nation.  His kingdom was taken from him by his own son who later died for his own treachery. In David’s case, his own son Solomon noted that when he repaid evil with evil, evil did not depart from his house (Proverbs 17:13).

• Follow Jesus’ Example

Jesus reminded the Pharisees that Satan cannot drive out Satan (Matthew 12: 25-28). Likewise, evil cannot drive out evil. An evil response only doubles the evil. Best of all, Jesus Christ showed us that it is indeed possible to love our enemies. As his enemies beat him and spat upon him, drove nails into his hands and feet, and tore away his clothes, Jesus prayed that his father would forgive them because they did not know what they were doing. “

In the same manner, he taught that we should: “Love our enemies.” “Do good to them which hate you.” “Bless them which curse you”, and “Pray for those who despitefully use you.” This kind of love may only be attained to by those who have experienced the cleansing power of God through the blood of Jesus Christ. When a person has been cleansed from sin, s/he allows the power of the Holy Spirit of God to control their lives. Then and only then will s/he be able to truly love the bitterest enemy. While, we cannot stop people from doing evil, they cannot force us to participate with them. It takes no power, might, or wisdom to retaliate against evildoers, but returning good for evil is one of the greatest demonstrations of strength.

• Claim God’s Promises

Jesus warned us that He was sending us as sheep among wolves. As such, we should not be surprised if we are treated wrongly or unjustly. Knowing that we are in a fallen world, it would be naïve to expect that we will be treated well. That said, we shouldn’t be discouraged from doing good to others for fear that we might be treated badly in return. We must keep on doing good to others as much as we can.

Jesus also knew we were going to feel overwhelmed by the brokenness around us, which is why He reminded us that He has already overcome the world (John 16:33). Every time we confront evil with good, we are portraying a true picture of God’s character to the world. Until He returns, we must represent His kingdom and His ways on earth. Jesus fully understands what we feel, and knows how to comfort and encourage us to go on. Leave it up to God. He will fix it.

Here are a few promises to keep in mind when the going gets rough:

• “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).
• “Vengeance is mine and I will repay it” (Hebrews 10:30).
• “Above all love each other deeply because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).
• “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2: 16-18).

• Return Good with Good

When someone does ‘good’ to us and for us, we need to do ‘good’ in return. One of the best ways to be certain to follow this rule is to be very grateful for whatever good comes your way. Thank God for what He has given you and thank others for what they do for you as well.  Do all that you can to repay everyone who does ‘good’ to you in kind.