The idea of overcoming evil by doing good is such a paradox. It reminds me of another scripture that tells us to love our enemies. It then goes on to tell us to DO GOOD TO THEM!! We are instructed to battle evil with kindness and love.
God has provided His children with weapons for spiritual warfare, an instruction manual with battle plans, and living bodies that are musical instruments. Our bodies allow us to enter war with songs of praise and worship. Who needs a flute or drum when our voices can cause confusion in the enemy camp?
Humans sin. We sin against each other. Believers and non-believers will hurt us. Pain is pain and the willingness to forgive evil is hard enough without any further requests, especial those requiring us to show kindness to evildoers.
God has a plan of action that has our enemy confused. We, His soldiers, merely have to carry out His orders. We should not even hesitate at His command. Kindness and Love will turn the enemy upon itself. Evil will devour evil because the paradox of loving back with kindness when wronged is too perplexing for satan and his demons.
Personally, I think it is worth the effort of obediently follow these orders, especially if it means I get to see the evil one fall hard. I also think it is worth following His plan of action, this paradox, if I get to see people confounded by my unexpected actions of kindness in the face of their unkindness or hatred. The biggest pay off would be to win them to Christ with my kindness and love. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to gain another soul for the kingdom?
ROMANS 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
LUKE 6:35
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
MATTHEW 5:43-46
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?
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