Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Today we shall explore a profound theme that has occupied
the minds and hearts of humanity since the dawn of consciousness. It is the
eternal dance of good and evil, the perpetual equilibrium between light and
darkness, the ceaseless struggle between virtue and vice. This dichotomy is as
old as existence itself, as intrinsic to our human nature as breathing.
The Holy Scriptures, our map to navigate this complex world,
provide us with explicit instructions. They acknowledge both good and evil and
admonish us to choose the path of righteousness. The Psalmist writes in Psalms (34:14)
Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. This powerful
verse indeed encapsulates the essence of our discussion today.
Yet, let us pause for a moment to ponder: Why does evil
exist if God is good? The Bible conveys to us that evil entered our world
through the misuse of free will. When Adam and Eve ate from the tree of
knowledge of good and evil, they brought sin into the world. Remember, God did
not create evil, but He allowed it to occur because of free will.
So, why do we experience this battle between good and evil
within us? The Apostle Paul described this internal struggle in Romans (7:15),
saying, "I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not
do, but what I hate I do." This fight reflects our fallible nature,
where we are often torn between the inclination to do good and the temptation
to do evil.
But fear not, dear friends, for we are not left alone in
this battle. God has given us His Word as a guide, His Son Jesus Christ as our
Saviour, and the Holy Spirit as our Helper. As we align ourselves with God's
will, we gain the strength to resist the enticements of evil.
Let us remember the promise found in James (4:7-8), "Submit
yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come
near to God and He will come near to you." This is our call to action,
our strategy for defence, our roadmap for victory over evil forces.
As a church community, God has tasked us with supporting
each other in this fight. We are the body of Christ, called to love and
encourage one another, to bear each other’s burdens, and to uplift each other
in prayer and fellowship. To provoke each-other to good works (Hebrews 10:24) and
rebuke and forgive the sins (Luke 17:3).
Remember, my dear brothers and sisters, the dual dance
between good and evil is not a performance meant to be observed from the
sidelines. We are active participants in this dance, this eternal rhythm of
life. Job contemplates on this dynamic in Job 30:26 “When I looked for good,
then evil came unto me: and when I waited for light, there came darkness.”
Our journey in this world is like navigating through a
complex maze of decisions. The pathway of goodness is illuminated by the light
of God's love, while the path of evil is shrouded in darkness and despair. Our
faith in God, our adherence to His teachings, and our love for one another are
our compass in this maze.
Let us move forward with courage, faith, and the assurance
that the One who has called us into this dance is with us every step of the
way. For as we journey together through this pathway, we can echo the
triumphant declaration of the Apostle Paul in Romans (8:37), "In all
these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
May God guide us and guard us as we navigate the dance of
good and evil.