Overcomer - Good vs Evil

Friday Sept. 25

Read Romans 12:9-21

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

   if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Paul’s letter to the Romans is filled with deep and profound theology.  But as he nears the end of this letter, he shifts the focus to practical living. The question becomes "So what?" In light of all that God has done for us in Jesus Christ - what do we do about it? What would it look like for you to live out the Christ-centered life day after day?

Memory Verse

Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the son of God.

1 John 5:5

Reflect

Questions

Look back at your last week.  How well did you bless and encourage the people around you?

Read the passage again slowly.  Apparently overcoming evil has a relational component to it.  How much evil flows out of the way we treat each other?

Who is someone you have been distant from or who has offended you, that you could bless and make peace with?  Do it!

Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You that you do not repay me in kind for the way I have treated you.  Change my heart so that I am the first one to reach out when others draw back.  Give me your love so I can do something kind to those who need it most.  I choose to allow your love to fill me and flow out from me today.  Amen.

Share

Gather around your lunch or dinner table with family or close friends and read today’s passage together. Then ask the question below.

• Identify one practical way to reach out to people who are hard to love.  How can those gathered at your table help you in this?

DFM Nation

Sunday Pastor Glenn will dive into a more in depth teaching on how Humility can overcome the deadly sin of Pride. Take a moment to pray for and invite someone.

NEXT
The next devotional in this Overcomer series will post Monday Sept 28