Overcome Evil with Good..Craig Denison Ministries

 Overcome Evil with Good

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

This week we’re going to take a look at seven principles found in Romans 12 that describe the marks of a true Christian. The intent of studying this passage is not to condemn or lead you to comparison. Instead, let Paul’s teaching fill you with a deep, transformative longing to wholeheartedly pursue the life God intends for you. Ask God to help you see yourself as he sees you, to see the grace he’s placed upon your life by the blood of Jesus so that you might walk more fully in the power and anointing of the Spirit. Open your heart to God, and let him do a mighty work in you. He is near to you, ready to mold and shape you into a disciple filled with and fueled by his incredible love. May you discover God’s grace and perspective this week as you examine your life in light of this powerful passage of Scripture.

Scripture:“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21

Devotional:    

The world is filled with the destruction that sin and separation from God has caused. All around us are signs of the enemy’s hand working tirelessly to keep God’s children from the abundant life our Father longs to give. Even when looking at the state of the church, you see lives still impacted by either their own sin or the sin of others. Reflect for a minute on your own life. What are your struggles? What are the struggles you see in the lives of other believers around you? What about the world around you?

The last command God gives us in the Romans 12 passage we’ve been studying this week says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).The idea of overcoming the world is a consistent concept throughout the entire New Testament. Scripture is clear that through the death of Christ we’ve been given the power and authority to overcome the work of the enemy in our own lives and lead others to freedom. Revelation 12:11 says, “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Conquering the enemy is our destiny as God’s people. In Matthew 10:6-8 Jesus says, “But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.”

God gives us an important piece of his battle plan for the war against evil in Romans 12: we are to triumph over our enemy with good as our weapon. God doesn’t fight evil with evil; he fights evil with love. It’s the love of God that will lead you to victory over the enemy in your own life, and it’s God’s love that will be the weapon you use to lead other people to victory as well. God’s goodness will draw you out of pursuing the world and lead you to victory as Revelation 12:11 says, “They loved not their own lives even unto death.” And it is God’s goodness that anoints you to “heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers” and “cast out demons” as Matthew 10 says. The goodness of God will always be more powerful than the enemy. His love will always triumph over the power of sin.

So, how can you“overcome evil with good” in your own life? James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Because of the authority of your heavenly Father, when you put up a fight with the enemy, you will win. He will flee from you. That’s God’s promise to you. You have victory over the enemy in Christ because “he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Greater is the Spirit who lives inside of you than the enemy who wages war against you. Finally, Galatians 5:1 says, “For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”

Christ has set you free from bondage to the world. But you are free to choose who you submit yourself to. Experiencing consistent victory requires you to submit yourself to God and not to the world. You have to wake up and choose to live every day for God. You have to choose being successful in God’s eyes instead of society’s. You have to choose to live your life in light of eternity. But God promises if you will simply make that choice, he will lead you to victory over sin and its destructive effects and anoint you to help others do the same. In choosing God, you will discover the incredible life he has in store for those “who love God” and “are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Choose God today, and overcome evil with the goodness of restored relationship with your heavenly Father. 

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s promise to you of victory over the enemy.

“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Revelation 12:11

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

2. Reflect on the areas of your life in which you need to overcome your enemy. Where do you struggle with sin? Where do you need victory today?

3. Now renew your mind to the truth of God’s word while focusing on that area. Use God’s truth as the sword to defeat the lies of your enemy.

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Overcoming sin is a daily battle. But it is a battle that’s already won. Experiencing the victory available to you will happen as you spend time with God every day meditating on his word and experiencing his goodness. Choose to place spending time with him above every other priority, and you will walk in victory over your enemy.

Extended Reading: Romans 12

Resting in the Faithfulness of God..Dr. Charles Stanley

Resting in the Faithfulness of God

Dr. Charles Stanley

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

When plans are frustrated or life just seems to fall apart in some way, people often wonder, Has God deserted me? Why hasn't He answered my prayers? The Bible offers encouragement for such times by assuring us of the Father's faithfulness: "Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments" (Deut 7:9).

Five attributes of God make this possible. First, He is omniscient, which means He knows everything, including our every need, thought, frailty, desire, and life situation in the past, present, and future. Next, the Lord is omnipotent, or all-powerful, so nothing is too hard for Him (Jer. 32:17). Then, He is omnipresent--since He exists everywhere at once, He is never beyond reach.

In addition, our heavenly Father cannot lie. Everything that He says is true and reliable. And lastly, God is unchanging. Our circumstances and the world around us may seem to be in a constant state of flux, and the Lord may even modify the way He chooses to interact with mankind in different generations. But His character is always the same. So when Scripture tells us that God is faithful, we can rest confidently upon that promise.

Circumstances can be painful. But even when situations seem overwhelming, believers can trust that our sovereign Lord knows all, is in control, and lovingly works everything for His children's good. We can rest confidently knowing that the unchanging God of all creation is taking care of us.

 

Navigating Crossroads in Life..Lynette Kittle

 Navigating Crossroads in Life

By Lynette Kittle

“The path of the righteous is like the morning sun, shining ever brighter till the full light of day - Proverbs 4:18

Growing up, my husband’s family with seven children attended a small mainline Protestant church in their tiny community. However, when his aunt and family left it to attend a Christian and Missionary Alliance Church 15 miles away, his family soon followed suit. He’s not sure why his aunt and family left, but this decision set his and his family’s lives on a new path. His new church focused on Salvation and new life in Christ, which started making lasting changes within his family, one being his dad dropping old habits and making changes for the better.

Likewise, his Mom became active in various church groups, making sure her children participated. Soon he and his family were attending church every time the doors opened, including Sunday morning and evening services, Wednesday evening meetings, Youth Group, Vacation Bible School, Mission conferences, and everything in between. But most of all, he remembers accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and how that decision dramatically changed the course of his life and the lives of his family, too.

The Narrow Road
Scripture describes, “But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:14).

Like Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken” reminds us.
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
 I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

We all come to crossroads in our lives where we have to decide which road to take. Like my husband’s family, these choices impact not only us but those around us and even those we haven’t even met yet. Which paths we choose leads us to whom we’ll marry, where we’ll live, what kind of work we’ll do, and so much more. 

As Joshua 24:15 explains, how we all have to choose which path we’ll take. “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

Turning Points
Each crossroad gives us an opportunity to choose which way we’ll go. And each choice will determine not only our personal course but which way our descendants will go afterward, too. This is especially true when a person accepts Jesus as his or her Savior. Deuteronomy 7:9 explains how, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.”

Who Do You Think You Are? television show highlights how whether they know it or not, the present-day generation's lives have been dramatically influenced by the path their previous family members took decades and hundreds of years before them. Each episode traces several individuals’ genealogies, discovering hidden heritage, along with solving unanswered questions they’ve had about their past relatives. 

The show often fills in the gaps of a person’s lineage, where family history hasn’t been passed down through the generations. It traces and reveals how one’s past relatives’ decisions at critical times in their lives set future generations and their family’s destiny on specific courses.

God Sets Our Pathways
However as Christians, we don’t have to make these decisions on our own because we have God’s Word and the Holy Spirit to lead us. Proverbs 3:5,6 explains, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” As well, Psalm 16:11 assures us that God will lead us toward His plans for our lives. ”You make known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.”

Intersecting Faith and Life:
Are you facing any upcoming crossroads in your life? You don’t have to decide which path to take on your own. Ask God to lead you, establish your steps, and give you His wisdom and insight into which path to choose.

Further Reading:

• Proverbs 4
• Matthew 7
• Psalm 16
• Proverbs 3
• Deuteronomy 7

The Struggle with Self-Condemnation..Jennifer Waddle

 The Struggle with Self-Condemnation

By Jennifer Waddle

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. (Psalm 37:23-24 NKJV)

Shame is one of the biggest deterrents of a Christian’s freedom in Christ. Self-condemnation holds people back from living, serving, and enjoying the abundant life Jesus offered. When we mess up, we feel like we are bound by our mistakes and unable to truly move past them.

But the Bible reminds us that when we fall, we are not utterly cast down. The Lord upholds us with His hand. His grace is sufficient, for when we are weak, His power is made perfect. (2 Corinthians 12:9) So, why do we struggle with self-condemnation?

Every chance he gets, the adversary comes in and shoots his arrows deep into our minds so that we are reminded of past shame and regret. In turn, this cycle of condemnation keeps us bound by failure, unable to live in the glorious freedom given us by Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Dear fellow believers, this should not be! The Bible reassures us that when we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive. (1 John 1:9) And again, in Isaiah, chapter 43, the Lord says,

“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake;

And I will not remember your sins.” (Isaiah 43:25 NKJV)

If God, who is all-knowing, can forget our sins, why do we hang on to them and let them condemn us over and over again?

Take heart today. Your sins, once the color of scarlet, have been washed clean—white as snow. There is now no condemnation for you in Christ Jesus. Put on the full armor of God so that when the arrows of the enemy come, (and they will), you will be ready to deflect them straight back at him. It is time to rise up and say “no” to Satan’s lies. And, it is time to begin living the amazing, abundant life Jesus offered.

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

A Prayer for Humility..By Chelsey DeMatteis

 A Prayer for Humility 

By Chelsey DeMatteis

“For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed. From the days of your fathers you have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts. But you say, ‘How shall we return?’ Malachi 3:6-7

For the last two years, I’ve wondered why my walk with the Lord felt dry. I’d find myself almost daily asking, “how did I get here”? Yet, for some reason, I never took it farther than that. I kept chugging along, doing life and feeling dry, almost empty, if you will.

By God’s grace, one night, I climbed into the tub at the end of a long day. I turned on my worship music and immediately felt tense, wondering if the person I was listening to chose to adhere to sound doctrine. Was this mash-up of favorite worship songs okay? It’s not that the questions were wrong, but they showed the posture of my heart at that moment. Tense and filled with angst instead of peace and worship. 

Moments later, I had the most beautiful reminder of climbing into my dad's truck a few years ago to find him singing one of these songs. God etched that morning into my heart. What a gift it was to me to witness my dad singing praise to our Savior. Pure-hearted and in a posture of humility. 

God used that memory to convict my heart that evening as the worship song played. I’d lost my humble heart. My once humble heart had been handed over to pride and arrogance. I found myself more concerned with what man thought about things rather than taking them to the Lord. 

It all became abundantly clear, and the Holy Spirit began a great revival in my heart. I was brought to the book of Malachi in chapter 3 and was shown the time when God gave His people the opportunity to turn and repent of their sins. He told the people, “return to me and I will return to you…” (vs 7). 

I will forever remember this moment with the Lord, just as I will always remember climbing into the truck with my dad. Humility washed over me once again. God’s grace and mercy poured out over my heart. I immediately felt softened. And the thought of harshness felt repulsive.

It is true, and I pray you know this, too; the love of Christ will always soften us. It will cause us to have humble hearts. It will make us new, whole, and in deep pursuit of the opportunity to share God’s love. 

Let’s pray:

Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit and conviction. I praise you for the way your Word softens our hearts. May I always seek to look to you for all my answers and that you are the only one I desire to please. In Jesus’ name, amen.

New Life for Us All..Greg Laurie

 New Life for Us All

Greg Laurie

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
—1 Peter 1:3

A couple from Chicago was planning a vacation to a warmer climate, but the wife couldn't join her husband until the next day, because she was on a business trip. Her husband scribbled down her e-mail address on a little scrap of paper, but upon his arrival, he discovered that he had lost it. He wanted to send off a quick e-mail to let her know he had arrived safely. So trying his best to remember her e-mail address, he composed a brief message and sent it off.

Unfortunately, his e-mail did not reach his wife. Instead, it went to a grieving widow who had just lost her husband, a preacher, the day before. She had gone to her computer and was checking her e-mail when she let out a loud shriek and fainted on the spot. Her family came rushing in to see what was on the screen: "Dearest wife, I just checked in. Everything is prepared for your arrival tomorrow. P. S.: It sure is hot down here!"

The good news is that because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we don't have to be afraid of that real place that is hot down there. In fact, we don't even have to fear death. Because Christ died and rose again from the dead, we know that for us as believers, there is life beyond the grave.

If that were all the resurrection did for us, it would be worth the price of the ticket. Of course, we didn't buy the ticket. Christ did. But if all that Christianity offered was the hope of life beyond the grave, it still would be worth it to be a Christian.

But there is a whole lot more that the resurrection has for us. Our risen Lord will give us a new heart and put a new spirit within us (see Ezekiel 36:26). He will give us new knowledge, new comfort, new peace, and a new life in Him.