Today's Verse: Romans 12:21

Thursday, December 21, 2000

This week we're mailing annual US IRS donation records...

Please check your mailbox, inbox, and spam folder. Thank you for your support!

 More Info
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
— Romans 12:21
Now you can listen to Today's Verse on iTunes, Spotify, Echo devices, and more!

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

A friend used to remind me that the number one goal in dealing with difficult people or circumstances is this: "Don't become what you hate." He wasn't talking about hating the person, but he meant that we don't want to become evil, wicked, petty, and sinful in our actions and motivations - the things we hate about their behaviors. We don't overcome the devil by underhanded and dishonorable means. We overcome evil and drive it back into the abyss of hell with the evil one by doing what is right and filling our hearts and lives with goodness (Philippians 4:). There is no greater example of overcoming evil with good than Jesus. And the Spirit is working with us to transform us to become like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18), whom we love and desire to emulate.

My Prayer...

Holy God, please bless us with your holy character as we resist those who are critical, cynical, and vengeful toward us because we are followers of Jesus. Please help us respond to our critics in ways reflecting Christ's character and Lordship. In his name, the name of Jesus, we ask this. Amen.

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

14 Related Resources by Heartlight

Overcome!
Illustration of Romans 12:21
Inspirational illustration of Romans 12:21 -- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Don’t Focus on Getting Revenge
Devo: Spiritual Warfare
"My friends, do not try to punish others when they wrong you, but wait for God to punish them with his anger. It is written: ‘I will punish those who....."
I Prefer 'Evil'
Article by Rubel Shelly
Why is it so hard to call it what it really is? Rubel Shelly reminds us that some people and some things are simply evil and no other term is appropriate or speaks the truth about the situation.
Living in Harmony
Devo: Praying with Paul
"Dear Father, God of the lowly, Help me live in harmony with others - without haughtiness, without conceit, willing to associate with the lowly. Help...."
See All 14 Related Resources about Romans 12:21

Illustration

Illustration of Romans 12:21 — Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, December 21, 2000

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Let the Light Shine!'
"Dear Disciple, While I was in the world, I was the "Light of the world" (John 9:5). I AM still the Light of the world (John 1:4-5; John 8:12), but..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: John 1:16
"These words tell us that there is a fulness in Christ. There is a fulness of essential Deity, for "in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead."..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Bribes Make People Ignore Bad Behavior'
"Take no bribes, for a bribe makes you ignore something that you clearly see. A bribe makes even a righteous person twist the truth."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Spiritual Understanding' (1 Co. 2:12)
"What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us."

About This Devotional

Today's Verse is a free daily devotional that includes a Bible verse, thought and prayer.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House.

More Today's Verse