Defeat evil with good.

Romans 12:21 says, “Never let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with good”.

Isn’t the wording confronting? Never LET evil defeat you. Like it’s a choice! *eye roll* LOL. (Spoken like a person who has been defeated more times than I’d like to acknowledge haha).

According to our verse, it is a choice to be defeated by evil. God has given us all the necessary tools to protect us, He has given us a complete armor (see Ephesians 6). He has also given us mighty weapons of warfare, (see 2 Corinthians 10:4). He has given us the Name of Jesus, which is the Name above any other name (see Philippians 2:9). Jesus has ALL authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18) so we need not fear anything or anyone.

To add to that, God fights for us (2 Chronicles 20:15). God is on our side (Romans 8:31). We are more than conquerors through Christ who strengthens us (Romans 8:37). Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).

So, after looking at all the above verses, I then began to understand why Romans 12:21 tells us that it’s a choice when we let evil defeat us. The Greater One is with us and He is on our side. He has given us His armor for protection and His weapons for battle. Not only that, He does not leave us to fight on our own, He fights both with and for us. By that I mean in every bad situation that confronts us, we have a choice to either fight for the truth of God’s word to be made manifest in our lives or we accept defeat. When we choose to fight, God rises up and He fights with and for us. BUT when we accept defeat- well God will not force you to fight a battle you do not want to fight. So, He stands back.

Note that our fight is never with people as God has called us to love one another. Our enemy is exposed throughout the Bible and especially in Ephesians 6:11-12. Our enemy is the devil but he is a defeated foe. Evil is defeated in the Name of Jesus! There is a way to defeat evil in our lives and it is with good. Let us continue fighting the good fight of faith and trust that God will give us the victory.

Have a victory filled week!