10-14-2025 PART 3: Conquer Evil by Doing Good

Section 1
Paul’s words in Romans 12:20–21 turn our instincts upside down. We’re told to feed our enemies, to give water to those who’ve wronged us, and to conquer evil not with retaliation but with goodness. This command echoes Jesus’ teaching from the Gospels—pray for your enemies and bless those who curse you. It’s not natural; it’s supernatural. When we respond in love, shame and conviction take root in the hearts of those who’ve opposed us, but that process belongs to God, not to us. Our job is obedience. God alone handles the inner transformation and judgment. Evil grows in this world, but we overcome it only by doing what is right, even when everything in us wants revenge.

Section 2
This struggle isn’t limited to politics or ideology—it’s deeply personal. Our society pushes division, daring us to pick sides and despise the rest. But the apostle reminds us not to let evil get the best of us. The moment we surrender to anger, resentment, or superiority, we’ve already lost. The battle is spiritual, not political. Only the Holy Spirit can lead us to love when hate feels justified. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God.” It’s that simple—and that demanding. We can’t reflect Christ without His Spirit empowering us to do what our flesh resists: kindness, mercy, and genuine compassion toward those who don’t deserve it.

Section 3
At the heart of this teaching is a single priority—God’s kingdom comes first. Believers aren’t called to be nationalists, partisans, or political warriors; we’re called to be citizens of heaven. Colossians 3 commands us to set our minds on things above, not on things of the earth. That doesn’t mean avoiding engagement, but it means viewing everything through an eternal lens. Our allegiance isn’t to flags or factions but to Christ. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; that’s the defining mark of a true disciple. The woes of the world stem from sin, not from a party or policy. Evil may rise, but God’s people overcome it through goodness, truth, and the Spirit-led pursuit of His kingdom above all.