How Can We Overcome Evil with Good?

A long, long time ago and not so far away, I was a recent college graduate teaching in a Christian school, although I didn’t know God all that well. By the end of my first year, I was in love with Jesus, I thought all born again Christians were perfect people, and I eagerly awaited how God would use me in school, in church, and in my community.

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Wasn’t I adorably naïve?

Then I discovered (gasp!) not all Christians agree on everything.

I’m not talking an argument over whose peach pie is tastier at the church summer fair—Mabel’s or Edna’s. No, to my total disillusionment, I realized Christians don’t agree on ethical issues.

One day, a much-admired mentor shared her ideas on a topic of morality. I held the opposite opinion. Shocked, I struggled to bite my tongue before vicious words of judgment spewed from my lips. I’m so grateful the Holy Spirit held me in check. But in my immaturity, I stepped away from the friendship. She didn’t seek reconciliation. Nor did I.

As a mature Christian, I would have handled the situation differently.

I would have prayed first. Asked Jesus about it. My friend loved Him, too. How could we be on opposite extremes of such an important issue?
I would have studied the Bible. Was I right? Was she? I already knew scriptures to back up my view, but with the extra research, I would have figured out which verses she used to justify her stance. Once a person sees another’s point of view, anger dissipates. We may not agree, but we trust the other is honestly seeking answers just as we are.

Jesus always understood what people were thinking. He knew why they believed as they did. He knew some of them were fully evil and some were misguided, and to the latter, He offered grace.

I’m not as wise and discerning as Jesus.

In our world and in our nation, so many are angry with one another. Even Christians. Regardless of which side of the social issue they promote, they honestly (and indignantly) believe they’re right.

Do you know the illustration of the elephant and the blind men? They fight over what an elephant is.

“An elephant is a rope of muscle with hair on one end,” says the man holding the tail.
“No! An elephant is a long tube of muscle strong enough to lift me,” says the man hanging onto its trunk.
“You’re both ridiculous!” says the third blind man patting the elephant’s ear. “It’s obviously as flat as a pancake and mostly circular in shape.”

Each man was correct. But only for one part of the elephant. Christians are just as limited in experience as those blind men. We’re right—to a point—in how we comprehend what’s good and what’s evil.

When I log on to social media, anger is my first reaction to all the mean-spirited posts.

Obviously, I’m not alone, but Satan loves to see nonbelievers attacking believers. Even better, Christians sniping at one another makes for great entertainment in his book.

I can throw my own rotten tomatoes, adding to hell’s delight, or I can pour water on the fire in an attempt to overcome evil with good.

Jesus is Light.

And we want to reflect Light because we belong to Christ. Within His singular Light, we enjoy unity. We can offer His goodness and grace to an angry world.

When Christians set aside differences, (scroll to the Divine Appointment in the link), we glow like individual little candle flames dotting the globe. We offer hope to all who see our Light. It’s amazing how bright we appear in darkness, allowing souls in deep despair to see Jesus. Let’s be one of those little candles. Maybe we’ll err on the side of grace, but we’ll show the kindness of Jesus.