“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
I will admit that I have always had much difficulty with this verse and others like it, not in the knowledge that we are not to use evil to fight evil, but instead good, but in the manner in which we are to use that good to fight the evil.
“But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.” (Matt. 20:22)
I am not sure, in essence, that we fully understand the complexity and context when the Lord said these words, or when He rebuked Peter for cutting off that person’s ear, for our Savior came to this earth for a specific purpose, to die, to become the final and fulfilling sacrifice for the sins of all mankind.
“For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.” (2nd Thess. 2:7)
The Holy Spirit through men of God restrains the evil of this planet, we are told in many places that we are to stand against evil, yet, especially recently, good seems to mean allowing all manner of evil to flourish for it is seen as evil to attempt to do good. If you attempt to stop the thief from stealing, it is considered a greater evil, if one attempts to take from you that which is rightfully yours, you may be the one punished.
Blatantly evil men and women who perform the most heinous of crimes against their fellow man remain behind bars for only a small percentage of the time that was given them. And many of those that have been set in place to protect the general public have fulfilled this verse.
“Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” (Romans 1:32)
How are we as those who are ambassadors of the Kingdom of God Almighty to fight evil with good when we are assaulted on the street? When we see another person being assaulted by an evil beast fit for destruction? When laws are imposed upon us that make, without a shadow of a doubt, evil acts beneficial and good acts deplorable and punishable?
If you want to use the Lord Jesus Christ’s example from the night He was taken in the garden until the moment He was crucified, remember this, you were not sent as a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind. He was.
“Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matt. 26:53)
The part mentioned in the beginning of this short letter to you, the part that I have the most difficulty with, is that many who profess to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in this regard to the topic at hand is that to fight evil with good means we are just to lay down and take it, to completely submit to the evil without any resistance whatsoever.
Is that your plan if a vile and wicked person begins to attack one of your loved ones? If someone breaks into your house or begins to assault you on the street?
“Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” (Eccl. 8:11)
Do you believe that is what the Scriptures mean when it says we are to love our enemy, that we are to allow evil men to do to us whatever they please and offer no resistance whatsoever? What are men of God to do not only when the situation is imminent, when the danger is right in front of you, but also when those in authority have not only determined to turn a blind eye to evil deeds, but enable those same deeds?
I will give you no answer, this must be set in your own mind.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Eph. 6:13)
Does standing mean resisting? Does it mean fighting back? Or does it mean submitting to the evil, allowing it to have its way, not only upon you, but upon this world and those in it?
I said it was difficult, didn’t I?