“Be not overcomeof evil, but overcome evil with good.”(Romans 12:21)
Since God has justified us believers, it is not necessary for us to take justice in ourown hands by taking retribution for God will be the one who will in due coursedeal justly with all, including those who cause injury on the believers. Hence we have these words from Paul about the expression of our mutual love for all.
GOD KNOWS MAN. As man takes note only of the outer form, the Lord is different as He sees the heart and from viewing the heart of man He exactly knows what feelings, attitude and thoughts lie therein. “For the thoughts of man's heartare evil from his earliest days” (Gen 8:21). Ang tawo daotan og huna-huna sukad pa sa iyang pagkabatan-on. Webster says it in other words: “the imagination of man's heart is evil fromhis youth.” This statement from God was during the days of Noah. Is it also true in our modern time?
Paultells the Ephesians (and us) to therefore “make good use of every opportunity they (we) have, because these are evil days. (Eph 5:16). Simply put, it means making the best use of the time, “redeeming the time,” as the King James Version tellsit. This is to make all our affairs positive and be in our favor, to “walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” (Col 4:5) and berooted and grounded in love. “For God shall bring every work into judgment,with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccle12:14) but God assures “the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.” (Pro11:21)—the seed of the blameless—those who are holy in heart and observant of the divine commands in practice; shall be delivered.
What does one have to do therefore? “O you, who love the Lord, hate evil! Hepreserves the lives of his saints; he delivers them from the hand of thewicked. (Ps 97:10) Personally hate evil! Then, the judgment of evil will be our deliverance. To fear God is to hate evil: Pride, and arrogance, the evil way andthe perverse (Pro 8:13). Pagpagarbo ugmapahitas-on, mga paaging hiwi ug malimbongon nga mga pulong.
In serving God, love without pretense or double standards, we are to despise thatwhich is evil and cleave to that which is good. “Do not repay evil for evil orreviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called,that you may obtain a blessing (1Pe 3:9). Never to restore, yield or reward the evil done but speak well and invoke our blessing to those harmful to us.
The apostle John writes to us that we are not to imitate evil but imitate only good(3 Jn 1:11) for whoever does well is from God; whoever does evil has not seenGod. “Happy are the pure in heart; they will see God!” (Mt 5:8)
GOD TELLS MAN. The psalmist says to “trust in the Lord and do good; live in the land and be safe”(Ps 37:3). He continues: Die away from anger, and renounce wrath: Fret notthyself any wise to do wickedness. Ayawkasuko, ayaw kaligutgot ug ayaw pagsubo kay kini makadaot.
“Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee (Pro 3:29).(When he is living with you without fear that is they live beside you, trustingyou. Another rendition says “sitting there with you and suspecting nothing.”) Again,Paul charges Timothy: “Tell them to do good, to do a lot of good things, to begenerous, and to share.” (1Ti 6:18). Paul meant that Christians should be richin good works, be generous and ready to share with others. The last phrase could also mean our appropriate contact with others. Peter advises to keep ourconduct among unbelievers admirable, so that when they speak against us as evildoers, they may see our good deeds and glorify God (1Pe 2:12).
To end, let’s read Luke 6:45, “A good person produces good from the good treasure ofhis heart, and an evil person produces evil from an evil treasure. For it isout of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks.” Also, Solomon wrotein Proverbs that a man may give freely, and still his wealth will be increased;and another may keep back more than is right, but only comes to be in need.Because it is God's pleasure that foolish and narrow-minded men may be put toshame by your good behavior.” (1Pe 2:15)
Be turned (or depart) from evil, and do good; make a search for peace, desiring itwith all your heart or pursue it. (Ps 34:14). It is always highly regarded for Christians to do well instead of evil and try to live at it. Of course we can do it. AMEN!
