Overcome!

Overcome!

“Do not be overcome by evil . . . .” We read that when Jesus was reviled, He did not revile in return. 1 Pet. 2:23. If it wasn’t a temptation for Jesus to revile in return, then it wasn’t a victory either for Him not to revile again. Heb. 2:18.

The person who reviled Jesus was evil, and if Jesus had reviled him in return, He would have been overcome by evil, with the result that both of them would have been evil. Then Satan would have gained a tremendous victory. However, Jesus did not allow Himself to be overcome by evil, but He overcame “evil with good.” Therefore He could teach us to “love your enemies; bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” Matt. 5:44.

The opposite of being overcome by evil is to overcome evil with good. However, if I am overcome by evil, then the person who curses me leads me into the evil. On the other hand, by being good I can help the other person out of the evil into being good. Then evil has been overcome with good. I have helped him out of the evil that had power over him.

“Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Rom. 12:19.

It is not our business to avenge ourselves because of some evil that was committed against us. We belong to the Lord, and it is His business to take care of us if only we abide in Him who is love. He waits with avenging the evil that has been committed against us to give us the opportunity to help the other person out of his malice by doing good. Therefore we must use the time of grace which God has given to people to be converted before His wrath is poured out. We must “give place to wrath,” waiting on the Lord, not interfering in His plan, whose desire is that all men be saved. 1 Tim. 2:1-6.

We cannot dispel darkness with darkness; neither can we drive away evil with evil. Only light can dispel darkness; likewise evil can only be driven out by goodness. This is where we have ample opportunities among people if we believe in the power of goodness. The power of goodness is particularly evident when requiting evil with good; for example, with good words or generosity. Evil people do not expect to be repaid in this way when they are evil. They are shocked, and the evil leaves them. They suffer under their own evil. Let them never overcome you with the result that you experience the same sufferings, but be along in setting the evil ones free from their sufferings. 1 Sam. 24:10-23. Then you are a servant of the Lord, and you will have a glorious inheritance among the saints. Eph. 1:18.