How Should Christians Respond to Evil? Part 2 – January 15, 2021

One need not live long before they come to the recognition that we live in a fallen world. Evil is all around us. Even as we attempt to do good and live godly lives, we can suffer as though we are evil doers. With the current events, we began last week to look at the Christian response to evil. From Habakkuk we were reminded to trust God’s faithful sovereignty in the midst of dark days. Yet, there is another important text we must consider which gives us the action steps which we must take when people commit evil against us. We find these action steps in Romans 12:14-21: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. … 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 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.” 20 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.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

When evil people prevail and begin to wrong us, we must respond in a distinctly Christian way. Paul informs us first that we must not curse them but rather we must bless them. This deals with the way that we speak about them. We are not to demean them or speak ill against them. Rather we are to praise them. We see also that we are not to repay their evil with evil. We cannot play the card we hear so often, “You didn’t have a problem when you did it.” Instead, we are to maintain our integrity and acta s a Christian. We are not to seek to avenge ourselves. We must leave our reputation to God. All this seems impossible.

Until we remember who God is. Paul reminds us that God is a just God who will not leave sin unpunished. This text comes on the heels of chapter 11 in which Paul reminds us that God is the sovereign God in control of all things. Therefore, we can trust him and rest in Him. Thus, Paul concludes. We don’t need to be overcome with evil. Rather, we respond with good. Keep doing right.

In our world today it can be easy to buy into the myriad of conspiracy theories and the drama of the news. It can be easy to fall prey to the sensationalism and extremism of social media. It can be easy to become bitter about the friend, relative, neighbor, co-worker, or church member who sinned against us. Our response to this evil is not bitterness, revenge, or hand wringing. Our response must be faithful obedience to God’s Word through humble service to others for the spread of the Gospel and the discipling of the saints. This is our call. Overcome evil with good.