When Evil Wins...

There's a battle going on, and you and I are in the middle of it. Sometimes it's more prevalent than others, but present nonetheless. I read a couple surveys this week that said more people are angrier than ever before. Is that you? Chances are if you're ticked off, someone has done something to you. What did they do?

In my own life, I've found this to be true.. Someone will do something or say something. I'll feel slighted. Or attacked. What happens in that moment? How do we respond?

Paul gave us some very practical helps in dealing with personal attacks in Romans 12:14-21. This week we're going to look at how we Deal with Difficult People. He sums the matter up in Romans 12:21, which I'd encourage you to memorize. "Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

"Overcome" means to be victorious. It's a fighting word. A winner overcomes. It faces the adversity and comes out on top. This is what Paul is saying. When faced with a conflict over evil, brought on by another person or situation. Don't let the evil win.

You see, evil wins when we either return the evil back. When we seek to get even, get revenge. Hurt the other person the way they hurt us. When this happens, evil wins and we suffer as well. We can never truly pay back and come out ahead.

The other way evil wins, is by continuing the chain of pain. Revenge continues the cycle of hurt and draws others into it's pathway. So how can we be victorious over the ugly people and things that happen?

Jesus faced evil on the cross. He said, Father forgive them. He calls on those who would follow Him to forgive too. To break the cycle of hurt and retaliation.

Everyone faces difficult people. The only question is, how we will respond. Join me Sunday as we look at being a Good Neighbor to the Mean people in our world.

Pastor Mike

PS - Excited to announce on Sunday we have 8 who are planning on being baptized, to give confession that they are seeking to follow Jesus! Come celebrate at 9:33 am.

---