Posts Tagged ‘evil’

h1

Overwhelm Evil with Good

August 3, 2011

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

  Since this passage in Romans is written to believers, I find it surprising that Paul refers to “evil” in the brethren.  The parallel passage in 1 Peter 3:8-9 expands on the thought:  “Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous, 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.”  1 Th. 5:15 also says, “See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all”

   One thing also stuck with me in the past few days, which is why I haven’t written.  If the Word tells us we can overcome evil with good…it has to be possible.  To “overcome” means “to conquer, master, suppress, prevail over, to surmount or overwhelm”.  Jesus told us that light dispels darkness.  So, why have we bought the lie of the devil that the darkness is too strong to combat?  Why have we just decided that these times are too far gone?  Why have we let go and given in?

   Christians are afraid of the ACLU and threatened lawsuits.  We are afraid to “offend”.  We have no backbones.  We allow ourselves to be overcome with evil and, for the most part, do not fight back.  Overcoming evil with good is not just to “pray for them”.  It is taking a stand.  What if the Apostles just “prayed about it”…Christianity would never have taken root at all.  And, speaking of darkness, Paul preached during Nero’s reign.

   Once again, I am disappointed in us and in myself.

Advertisement

Posted in God Sense | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

h1

Hate what is evil…

June 28, 2011

 Moving along in Romans 12, continuing in verse 1, we come to good v. evil.  Before I obtained my new eyes in Christ (II Cor. 5:17), except for the most disturbing or vile content, I was comfortable with most TV shows, novels, etc.  Of course, in those days, things were not as graphic as they are today.  In Christ, through the Holy Spirit, I have experienced a gradual putting away of bad language, and a deepenging awareness of the darkness which permeates most of the airwaves today.  I have also realized that most of the dramatic shows on TV today center around death.

As my spiritual heart becomes clean and whole, my discomfort with evil becomes stronger.  It is a tool of the evil one to put his garbage into our souls.  He is the Prince of the Air (and, I think, the airwaves fit into that category also).  It amazes me that on the rare occasions that programing is healthy and uplifting, even though the ratings are high, the shows are taken off.

Not only in the entertainment industry, our advertising, but now even in our schools,  everything appeals to the flesh and the lower part of our nature.

There is enough unscripted evil in this world without  more piling on top at every level.  The enemy has established a strong beachhead into this society and throughout the entire globe.

Unfortunately, including myself, we remain silent and accepting, like sheep led to the slaughter, or a frog boiled in water.

If nothing changes, nothing changes.

 

Posted in God Sense | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »