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God is not the author of moral evil; rather, it is His holiness that defines it. Created in God’s image, we bear the responsibility to make moral choices that please God and conform to His will. He wills our sanctification and does not wish us to sin. In repentance and faith in the Messiah, we have forgiveness of sin and a reversal of the moral evil within us. As God’s children, we walk according to this command.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good. [1]

(Romans 12:21)

As children of God, we must live on the highest level—returning good for evil. Anyone can return good for good and evil for evil. The only way to overcome evil is with good. If we return evil for evil, we only add fuel to the fire. And even if our enemy is not converted, we have still experienced the love of God in our own hearts and have grown in grace.[2]

How do we overcome evil with good? Paul gives us the key in Romans 12. There is plenty here to focus on.

  • Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
  • Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
  • Live in harmony with one another.
  • Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.
  • Never be wise in your own sight.
  • Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
  • If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
  • Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
  • To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.

Let us dig deeper:

  • 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (NASB95) — 22 abstain from every form of evil.
  • Acts 2:40 (NASB95) — 40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”
  • Romans 12:9 (NASB95) — 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good.
  • Romans 13:14 (NASB95) — 14 But put on the Master [Lord] Jesus the Messiah [Christ], and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.
  • Psalm 1:1 (NASB95) — 1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
  • Proverbs 4:14 (NASB95) — 14 Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
  • Job 28:28 (NASB95) — 28 “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”
  • Psalm 119:115 (NASB95) — 115 Depart from me, evildoers, That I may observe the commandments of my God.
  • Proverbs 4:27 (NASB95) — 27 Do not turn to the right nor to the left; Turn your foot from evil.
  • Proverbs 14:16 (NASB95) — 16 A wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, But a fool is arrogant and careless.
  • Isaiah 52:11 (NASB95) — 11 Depart, depart, go out from there, Touch nothing unclean; Go out of the midst of her, purify yourselves, You who carry the vessels of the Lord.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). (Ro 12:14–21). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 556). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

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