Victory Over Hate and Evil Part 3

Romans 12:17-21 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Introduction

When the Apostle Paul wrote these words, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”, he wrote them to people who had likely faced real, and substantial persecution under the Roman government.

In the first century, “emperor worship” (the worshiping of emperors as a god) was common in the Roman Empire:

One article I read said this:

“the emperors not only believed they were high priests, they actually believed they were, what, they were Gods. And in fact, Christians were killed in the Roman persecution of the church because they failed to worship the emperor.”

(Source: John F. MacArthur Jr)

As we have been studying Romans 12:17-21, we are studying an Epistle that was written to early believers, in the first century, that lived in ROME, the heart of the Roman Empire.

Christians in the first century didn’t have it easy, there was persecution, yet God worked mightily among them, thousand of people came to Christ, and the gospel spread throughout the world.

Paul admonished those Roman Christians, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Review

Doing the Right Thing

Be the example of the change you want to see

BE THE CHANGE: It’s simple to understand, but hard to do.

we don’t like change, but we should be changing as we grow in the Lord

Avenge not Yourselves

You cannot control the circumstances of your life, but you can control your responses to the circumstances.

It’s vital to be a spirit-filled believer

It doesn't’ take faith to respond in the flesh, but it does take faith to give it to the Lord and wait on Him.

III. Victory Over Evil

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

1. You Cannot Overcome Evil with Evil

BLM Movement and Antifa (especially) - hurting innocent people, doesn’t solve any problems

You cannot overcome white supremacy with black supremacy - you are only replacing one evil with another

Responding with Evil only makes matters WORSE

You cannot overcome evil with evil!

Illustration: “Cash, check, or charge?” asked the salesclerk as the lady made her purchases. When she fumbled for her wallet, the clerk noticed a TV remote control in her purse. “So, do you always carry your TV remote around with you?” he asked. “No,” she replied, “but my husband refused to come shopping with me, and I figured this was the most evil thing I could legally do to him.”

Sometimes evil comes our way from our own family...Responding with Evil only makes matters WORSE

Much Evil comes from what we say:

Memory Verse: 1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

If you think you can say whatever you want, when ever you want you are not wise. People today, are applauded for their ability to “speak their mind”…The Bible calls that foolishness!

Proverbs 29:11 A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.

Let’s bring forth that which is “good”

Review: You Cannot Overcome Evil with Evil

2. Overcome Evil with Good

Romans 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

This speaks of our Testimony

Illustration: A frontier preacher was preaching against hatred, he asked all those who had overcome the sin of hatred to stand. He was shocked when one older man rose to his feet. The preacher asked him this could be and he said, “All the skunks who done me dirt, all them scoundrels I hated—they're all dead.”

As Christians we can have Victory over hatred and evil by forgiving the offender, and by experiencing the grace of God!

What makes a good person a “good person?”(People often think a good person is a person that doesn’t do bad things)

As a Christian, it is not enough to simply, not do bad things, Christians are to do GOOD to others.

What did Jesus do?

We must be the example of the change we want to see.

What good are you doing? What good have you done lately?

3. Overcome Evil with God

this Speaks of the Gospel

What is the greatest good you can do for someone?

Some would say buy them a car?

Some would say build them a house?

Some would say pay for their children to get a good education?

Truth: the greatest good you can do for a person, is to show them how to be saved.

People need the Lord Jesus Christ far more than they need material possessions

Romans 1:15-16 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

Are you ready to proclaim the gospel?

The gospel is the power of God

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

The gospel has the power to change lives, the Gospel is what the world needs!

Conclusion

Friend have you been responding to the evil you see with evil?

How is your testimony? What are you known for? Are you known for praying? Are you known for helping others?

Are you witnessing to your relatives, friends, and neighbors?

Have you been changed by the power of the gospel yourself?

Pray