Overcome Evil with Good<\/strong><\/p>\n Weekly Overview:<\/strong><\/p>\n This week we\u2019re going to take a look at seven principles found in Romans 12<\/a> that describe the marks of a true Christian. The intent of studying this passage is not to condemn or lead you to comparison. Instead, let Paul\u2019s teaching fill you with a deep, transformative longing to wholeheartedly pursue the life God intends for you. Ask God to help you see yourself as he sees you, to see the grace he\u2019s placed upon your life by the blood of Jesus<\/a> so that you might walk more fully in the power and anointing of the Spirit. Open your heart to God, and let him do a mighty work in you. He is near to you, ready to mold and shape you into a disciple filled with and fueled by his incredible love. May you discover God\u2019s grace and perspective this week as you examine your life in light of this powerful passage of Scripture.<\/p>\n Scripture:<\/strong>\u201cDo not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Romans 12:21<\/a><\/p>\n Devotional: \u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n The world is filled with the destruction that sin and separation from God has caused. All around us are signs of the enemy\u2019s hand working tirelessly to keep God\u2019s children from the abundant life our Father longs to give. Even when looking at the state of the church, you see lives still impacted by either their own sin or the sin of others. Reflect for a minute on your own life. What are your struggles? What are the struggles you see in the lives of other believers around you? What about the world around you?<\/p>\n The last command God gives us in the Romans 12<\/a> passage we\u2019ve been studying this week says, \u201cDo not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good\u201d\u00a0<\/em>(Romans 12:21<\/a>).The idea of overcoming the world is a consistent concept throughout the entire New Testament. Scripture is clear that through the death of Christ we\u2019ve been given the power and authority to overcome the work of the enemy in our own lives and lead others to freedom. Revelation 12:11<\/a> says, \u201cAnd they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony<\/a>, for they loved not their lives even unto death.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Conquering the enemy is our destiny as God\u2019s people. In Matthew 10:6-8<\/a> Jesus says, \u201cBut go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, \u2018The kingdom of heaven is at hand.\u2019 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n God gives us an important piece of his battle plan for the war against evil in Romans 12<\/a>: we are to triumph over our enemy with good as our weapon. God doesn\u2019t fight evil with evil; he fights evil with love. It\u2019s the love of God that will lead you to victory over the enemy in your own life, and it\u2019s God\u2019s love that will be the weapon you use to lead other people to victory as well. God\u2019s goodness will draw you out of pursuing the world and lead you to victory as Revelation 12:11<\/a> says, \u201cThey loved not their own lives even unto death.<\/em>\u201d And it is God\u2019s goodness that anoints you to \u201cheal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers\u201d\u00a0<\/em>and \u201ccast out demons\u201d\u00a0<\/em>as Matthew 10<\/a> says. The goodness of God will always be more powerful than the enemy. His love will always triumph over the power of sin.<\/p>\n So, how can you\u201covercome evil with good\u201d<\/em> in your own life? James 4:7<\/a> says, \u201cSubmit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Because of the authority of your heavenly Father, when you put up a fight with the enemy, you will win. He will flee from you. That\u2019s God\u2019s promise to you. You have victory over the enemy in Christ because \u201che who is in you is greater than he who is in the world\u201d<\/em> (1 John 4:4<\/a>). Greater is the Spirit who lives inside of you than the enemy who wages war against you. Finally, Galatians 5:1<\/a> says, \u201cFor freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Christ has set you free from bondage to the world. But you are free to choose who you submit yourself to. Experiencing consistent victory requires you to submit yourself to God and not to the world. You have to wake up and choose to live every day for God. You have to choose being successful in God\u2019s eyes instead of society\u2019s. You have to choose to live your life in light of eternity. But God promises if you will simply make that choice, he will lead you to victory over sin and its destructive effects and anoint you to help others do the same. In choosing God, you will discover the incredible life he has in store for those \u201cwho love God\u201d\u00a0<\/em>and \u201care called according to his purpose\u201d\u00a0<\/em>(Romans 8:28<\/a>). Choose God today, and overcome evil with the goodness of restored relationship with your heavenly Father. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Guided Prayer:<\/strong><\/p>\n 1. Meditate on God\u2019s promise to you of victory over the enemy.<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAnd they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Revelation 12:11<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cLittle children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.\u201d<\/em> 1 John 4:4<\/a><\/p>\n 2. Reflect on the areas of your life in which you need to overcome your enemy.\u00a0<\/strong>Where do you struggle with sin? Where do you need victory today?<\/p>\n 3. Now renew your mind to the truth of God\u2019s word while focusing on that area.\u00a0<\/strong>Use God\u2019s truth as the sword to defeat the lies of your enemy.<\/p>\n \u201cFor freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Galatians 5:1<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSubmit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>James 4:7<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cDo not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>Romans 12:2<\/a><\/p>\n Overcoming sin is a daily battle. But it is a battle that\u2019s already won. Experiencing the victory available to you will happen as you spend time with God every day meditating on his word and experiencing his goodness. Choose to place spending time with him above every other priority, and you will walk in victory over your enemy.<\/p>\n Extended Reading:\u00a0<\/strong>Romans 12<\/a><\/p>\n For more information on today’s devotional click here<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"first15-devotional-banner-2022\"](\"https:\/\/media.swncdn.com\/via\/images\/2022\/09\/08\/27281-untitled-design-1_source_file.png\")
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