Overcome Evil with Good

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. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:20-21

How do we respond in a way that befits a child of God after enduring the insults, persecutions and opposition of the enemy and obeying God in giving place for wrath? We need to realize that vengeance is God’s.

We need to be kind to those who have hurt us. The enemy is one who, in heart and deed, opposes us openly and has no kind thoughts towards us. This enemy yearns for our destruction and shame. However, God says, “Feed him and give him drink as he needs.” The intention is not to merely provide his necessities but all the individual needs. True and sacrificial love cannot merely reflect the giving to meet specific needs but all needs, including the basic needs of the enemy that will contribute to his comforts and needs. Paul echoes the words of our Saviour that we are to love our enemies, to bless them that curse us and to pray for them that insult and despitefully use us. We are to be kind, beneficial, useful and meeting the needs of those who hurt us. This was the response of the Saviour. When He was reviled, He reviled not again; He was persecuted but He did not retaliate; He was insulted but He was quiet. However, by his death, He provided salvation to those who killed Him if they would accept His grace. Be kind to those who hurt you. This is the Saviour’s pattern and apostolic teaching.

We can overcome the enemy and evil by our kindness. The heaping of coals of fire refers to two possible references. In the Jewish culture, bringing coals of fire indicate the warming of the house through lending coals to houses without any. Our kindness, in this instance, warms the cold heart of sin and, hopefully, wins over the enemy. However, in Egypt, criminals had coals of fire placed upon their heads and they were to be ashamed of what they had done and, as a result, recant and repent of the corrupt deed.

We as children of God are to overcome all evil with good. When men revile us, we are to bless them; when men curse us, we are to bless them. We are to subdue the opposition against us through kindness, good works and deeds that are useful and beneficial to our opposers.

Believer, do you find this difficult? When you have been offended, do you immediately seek revenge and seek to get even? Paul teaches us that even though we have been hurt, we are to overcome it by doing good.

Written by: Pastor Johnny Tan
Edited by: Timothy Lee
Image Credit: David Gunter, Flickr