Be not overcome of evil but ...

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Transcript of Be not overcome of evil but ...

Be Not Overcome of Evil, but Overcome Evil with Good!

Rom 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.Rom 12:14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.Rom 12:17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.Rom 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

One thing that has always stood out to be about the Bible is that it

definitely was not written by ordinary men!

▪There is no way that men would have come up with some of the things found in this book!

▪Everything in us goes against some of what is written in this book! ▸“Love your enemy” but I have to get him

before he gets me!

In our lesson today we are going to be looking at one of these teachings that seems to go against every fiber of our

being!▪Knowing what to do, and really doing it

are a lot different from one another, and this lesson is one we all know we should be doing, but often struggle to do it!

▪It is our hope & prayer that this lesson will help prepare us to put into practice this principle!

It is only after we learn to practice this principle that we will be able to

love others as Jesus loves us!▪Rom 5:8 But God demonstrates His own

love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

▪John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

▪Without the self-giving sacrifice of Christ, none of us could overcome! (2 Cor. 5:18-21)

I. The Result!▪We usually end with the result, but today

we want to begin with it! (Rom. 12:21)

▸This verse is the last verse in a chapter that is dealing with “overcoming the world!” vs.2

▪This principle begins in verse 9 and continues down to verse 21!

▸Key verses in the passage that all teach this to be our focus! (Rom. 12:9, 14, 17 & 21)

This is found throughout the Bible!▪Pr 20:22 Do not say, "I will recompense

evil"; Wait for the LORD, and He will save you.

▪1Thess 5:15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

▪1Pet 3:9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

We are to do good to others because God is good to us, not because others are good to us!▪Mt 5:44-48 "But I say to you, love your enemies,

bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. "And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

II. The Response!We are to respond to evil with good!

▪This is often not our first response, this is often rather a choice we must make!

▪The world says to do to others as they have done to us! Not as you would have them do to you! These are 2 very difference responses!

▸One responds according to what was done to them!

▸One responds despite what others have done!

Rom 12:20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him

a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

▪Have you ever wondered how this works?

▪Keeping in mind the verse that follows, it cannot mean that we are trying to hurt him, but rather than we are trying to help!

▪Have you ever been mean to someone and they respond with open arms & love and you feel an inch tall afterwards!

III. The Reward!

▪Imagine what would happen if every Christian learned this principle & learned to practice it, imagine the countless doors that would be opened to teach others!

▪It has been said that “people don't care how much you know, until the know how much you care!”

▪Maybe you have heard this one “kill them with kindness!”

Notice how this works!▪Tit 2:7-8 in all things showing yourself to

be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

▪1Pe 2:12 having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Conclusion:▪Every day that we live in this world, we are

often given opportunities to practice this!

▪“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good!”

▪Have you come to know the love of God in your life? Have you come to trust Him with your salvation? Have you come to learn to love as He loves?

▪If you are a Christian, then let us learn to overcome the evil in the world by being a beacon of light!