5^th January

“Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.”

Romans 12:21

As we reach the climax and end of this wonderful chapter, we are reminded that evil can be overcome; we can conquer evil. Notice the writer does not say, ‘don’t let evil conquer you, by building a great castle or guard around your life’. He instead adds a big BUT and says that we can ‘conquer evil by doing good’. Of course it is good to put safeguards in your life, and daily wear the armour of God and protection from the enemy’s scheming ways. But it is in the everyday battles that we can be victorious in by doing good and what is right, in the power of the Holy Spirit, thereby conquering evil.

In the film the Hobbit, Gandalf a wise wizard said the following words, “Some believe it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. It is the small everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” Although not completely the same, it slightly parallels what the writer of Romans is getting at. We can defeat evil by doing good, everyday deeds of kindness, love and good.

As we start a new year, may we ask the Holy Spirit to show us how we can win victories in our life by overcoming evil with good rather than letting evil overcome us. We are equipped with the victory power of Christ. Great battles are won by lots of small victories.