Study of Romans 12 – Verse 21

    Over the past few weeks we have looked at how to keep our conduct holy (1 Peter 1:15-16) and acceptable to God (Romans 12:1) in troubling circumstances. We have learned that we are to…

…bless those who persecute us, bless and do not curse (v14)

…rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep (v15)

…treat everyone equally (v16)

…be willing to do what is needed, no matter how humble the task (v16)

…be willing to listen and learn from others (v16)

…not repay evil for evil (v17)

…prepare ourselves (through study and application of God’s word) to know what is good so we can do and say what is good in any situation (v17, Hebrews 5:14)

…prepare our minds beforehand to approach every troubling circumstance peaceably (v18)

…not avenge ourselves, but give it to “Him who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:23), knowing that He will deal with it justly (v19)

…help our enemy when they are in need (providing food/drink, and in so doing giving them ‘food for thought’)

 

    God gave us these commands so that we would not fall prey to evil. Through obedience of these commands He has given us the power to overcome evil with good and “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2)!

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

overcome (Strong’s Greek #G3528, ‘nikao’) means to conquer, to prevail, to gain victory. It properly means to conquer, to carry off the victory, or come off victorious.

“For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5 NKJV)

I have borrowed this idea from my Dad (Brian V. Sullivan, a gospel preacher for 55+ years), and I’m sure I have used it in my writing before, but it is a good one to think about especially within this context.

Every time you are faced with decision to do good or to do evil, consider that in that decision there are three votes cast: God’s vote, who has given you all that is needed to make a right choice and overcome; He knows that you can rule over the sin that lies at the door (Genesis 4:7), the devil’s vote, who wants you to turn from God and fail like he did, and your own vote. Are you casting your vote with God or the devil? The choice is yours.

evil (Strong’s Greek #G2556, ‘kakos’) means bad, wicked, harmful. It properly means inwardly foul, rotten (poisoned). Read and consider Matthew 7:15-20.  

good (Strong’s Greek #G18, ‘agathos’) means what is upright, honourable, and acceptable to God. Read and consider Psalm 16:2, Galatians 6:9-10, and James 1:17

    We truly need to present ourselves to God as living sacrifices who are holy and acceptable to Him by allowing ourselves to be transformed from showing partiality, being reactive, vengeful, and angry to a new mindset that will be evident to all (1 Timothy 4:15-16). We need to be followers of Christ who do not lag in diligence but are fervent in spirit and serve the Lord so that we may prove that God’s will is good, acceptable, and perfect, and so that we can show those erring a better way, so we can fortify our own faith and trust in God and His way, and in so doing we can overcome evil with good!  

    Just as the wife can win her unbelieving husband to Christ through her quiet and chaste conduct (1 Peter 3:1-2), we, by obeying God’s commands in these verses (14-20), can win over those who have been our enemy and persecuting us. We can overcome evil with good!

    God’s way is the best way. Trust Him and obey His commands.

    Let’s determine to reflect God’s goodness in our lives, and through our gentle and quiet obedience we will show others a better way and bring more souls to Christ! Are you ready to conquer, prevail, and gain the victory over evil?  God has told you how in Romans 12. Cast your vote with Him!

You can do it! So can I!!