How can I overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21)?

Answer

Romans 12:21 states, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” This verse comes after encouragements such as “Bless those who persecute you” (verse 14) and “Do not repay anyone evil for evil” (verse 17). The central message of the passage is about how to love genuinely (verse 9), and the guidelines ask us to put aside our natural tendencies. God’s path always challenges our earthly desires and urges us to live on a higher plane through the power of the Spirit. The typical human response is to curse those who curse us and seek to combat evil with more evil. However, according to Romans 12:21, evil can only be conquered with goodness. The goodness of God is more potent than any evil.

Jesus exemplified overcoming evil with good perfectly: “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly” «who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: », (1 Peter 2:23). By submitting Himself to the evil actions of His captors, He triumphed over sin, Satan, and death (Ephesians 4:8-10). Evil may have seemed victorious when it crucified Christ. However, because Jesus completely yielded to the will and purpose of His Father, the Son of God overcame their evil with goodness. Although the acts against Christ were inherently evil, Jesus’ death and subsequent resurrection defeated that evil by securing forgiveness and eternal life for all who would believe (John 1:12;John 3:16-18;20:31).

We conquer evil in the same manner, with goodness. The Lord declares that vengeance is His, and He will repay «For we know hiFrom Him who has said, “Vengeance belongs to me, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” (Hebrews 10:30). We can trust in God, as Jesus did, knowing that He will turn even the evil acts done against us for our benefit (Genesis 50:20;Romans 8:28). When we choose not to retaliate against those who persecute us, their evil deeds stand alone, while seeking revenge lowers us to their level. In a conflict where one person clearly attacks another, evil is exposed for all to see. Responding with gentle words, kindness, or generosity to someone who has harmed us leaves the wrongdoer to face their evil alone.

Proverbs 25:21–22 advises, “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” Paul references this in Romans 12:20, just before urging to “overcome evil with good.” The act of “heap burning coals on his head” likely signifies the enemy’s reaction to kindness. Nothing prompts more shame and regret for our actions than when someone responds to our hurtful behavior with gentle forgiveness. Kindness in the face of cruelty highlights the stark difference between the two. Reacting gently to an enemy aims not to shame or have the final say but to encourage repentance in the wrongdoer.

By keeping a few key points in mind, we can work towards overcoming evil with good:

1. I am not the judge; God is. He will act justly «Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just? », (Genesis 18:25).

2. As a Christian, my response to evil should not imitate the world’s behavior but reflect Christ, who is within me (Romans 12:1-2).

3. Keeping my eyes on Jesus helps me know how to respond when I am treated poorly “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”, (Hebrews 12:2).

4. God is always watching and evaluating my choices, and He wants to reward me for obeying Him (Matthew 5:43-48).

Jesus reminded the Pharisees that Satan cannot drive out Satan (Matthew 12:25-28). Similarly, evil cannot drive out evil. An evil response only multiplies the evil. When we respond to evil with humility and grace, we are demonstrating that good conquers wickedness. We cannot prevent people from committing evil, but they cannot compel us to join them. It requires no power, might, or wisdom to retaliate against evildoers. However, responding with kindness in the face of evil is one of the most powerful displays of strength.