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Overcome Evil with Good

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

Romans 12:21

God’s plan to overcome our sinful nature is to replace sin with good.  If we are doing good we want be doing bad. The more we keep our thoughts on things above the easier it is to capture sinful thoughts and bring it to the obedience of Christ We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5)  If we can master this verse we will have the self-control to overcome evil with good.

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6) The key to victory over sin, freedom in Christ, and life to the full, is to realize God is conforming us to the image of Jesus.  We can fight sin, but unless we are striving to become more Christ-like we are fighting an extremely difficult battle.  We fight sin by living as Jesus did, focusing on doing good. If we live to serve the Lord doing good, the easier it is capture sin and return to good.

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. (John 14:15-18) Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit which connects us to Christ, who guides us to do his will and renewing our minds to the mind of Christ. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.(Romans 12:2) As our minds renew we approve God’s will, his good, pleasing and perfect will, and it makes it easier to replaces sinful habits.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)  The apostle Paul lived for God’s will, his will was to do God’s will. When this happens our hearts have changed; God and others becomes the focus of our life. We pray for lost souls and we minister to lost souls through guidance of the Holy Spirit. The more we live for God and others the less power Satan has to bring us sinful thoughts.

We are guided by the Holy Spirit and we are motivated to minster to lost souls.  This motivation to bring others to Christ begins to take over our life, and he gives us divine control over the sinful nature.  It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5:1) Things of God override things of the world and living for Christ is now the reason we live. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.(John 10:10)

Described is God’s plan to overcome evil by doing good. Strive for it, pray for it, and read the Word to know the Father and the Son. Read the Word and notice the heart of Jesus, and seek to be more like him. Pray for a heart of love because love makes us more like Jesus. Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)  The love God puts in our hearts is what frees us form the sinful nature, and brings closer to the Lord.

Today whenever tempted by Satan replace it by doing something good. Pray for the Lord’s strength to overcome.. Seek victory in this spiritual war by replacing evil with good.

Prayer:  Lord keep changing me to be Christ-like, and fill my heart with your love, for love frees me form this sinful world. Thank you for guiding me by the Spirit to bring Christ to lost souls. In Jesus name, Amen