Yom She-ni, Sivan 9, 6002 – June 5, 2017
Overcome Evil With Good
Often when I have heard this scripture I have thought of how I am treated by the unbelieving world. If an unbeliever treats me poorly, I am not to treat that person as they treated me. While this may be something that I should in fact do, this scripture is speaking about the body of believers and how we treat one another, I suggest. In fact, this passage begins by telling us to get our mind right.
Romans 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
Specifically, when we renew our mind we can learn to accept our fellow believers. This is upheld by other scriptures.
Psalms 133 A Song of degrees of David.
1 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
We see that unity brings blessing. If we read on in Romans we get to the scripture that is the title of this writing.
Romans 12:9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
We can see that this passage continues to speak about how we as believers treat one another. If we can learn to treat one another well, we can overcome the flesh that is at enmity with the Spirit, something we can all struggle with from time to time. We can overcome the evil with the good.
Prayer
Father, we exalt You. You alone are our King! Praise the name Yahuah! Let Your will be with us as it is with You. Send us today Your overwhelming provision. Forgive us o ur trespasses and transgressions, and help us all to forgive those that have trespassed and transgressed against us. Cleanse our hearts and minds. Raise up Your people and defend us from those that accuse and would harm our families. Turn the hearts of those in authority such that we can live at peace. Restore unto Your people one hundredfold all that has been taken or held back from Your people in any way, and the more besides, even greater than in the Exodus. Rise up my King, and deliver us. We ask all these things in the name of our Messiah Yeshuah (Jesus). Amen.