Romans 12:9-21
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
5 Ways To Overcome Evil With Good In Relationships
1. Don’t Curse Them; Pray For Them
Romans 12:14
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
James 3:8-10
…but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
2. Don’t Seek Revenge Against Them; Forgive Them
Romans 12:17
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
3. Don’t Avoid Them; Go To Them
Romans 12:18
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Matthew 5:23-24
So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
Matthew 18:15
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.
Leviticus 19:17-18
You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.
4. Don’t Withhold From Them; Give To Them
Romans 12:20
To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Romans 12:20
…for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
5. Don’t Act Superior To Them; Humble Yourself Before Them
Romans 12:16
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
Resources Cited
Articles/Books/Commentaries/Sermons
Adams, Jay. How to Overcome Evil. Philipsburg, N.J. P+R Publishing, 1977.
Crocker, Matthew. The Forgiveness of Corrie Ten Boom. October 2021. https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/the-forgiveness-of-corrie-ten-boom/
Keller, Tim. Love and Forgiveness. May 8, 2016. https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/love-and-forgiveness/
Morris, Leon. The Epistle to the Romans. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1988.
Rendall Risner, Vaneetha. We Cannot Cling to Bitterness and God. March 2021. https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/we-cannot-cling-to-bitterness-and-god