PEACE IN THE STORM
Kyle Laws
Today’s Scripture: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 ESV
Theme: Don’t give in to evil; just as the solution to darkness is light, the antidote to evil is God’s goodness.
ASK
Are you a parent? I have two boys, a six-year-old and a five-year-old, and they love to argue! When they are screaming at each other, or pushing each other, I could easily respond with more yelling, but what good is that? If I yell at them, I am teaching that yelling is the answer to fixing their problems; however, when I respond with patience and a level demeanor, I’m showing them a better way. As Jesus’ body was nailed to the cross, He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34 ESV). This is a prime example of overcoming evil with good. He was mocked, scorned, and beaten, yet He still chose to pray for others in His final moments. Anytime we are tempted to return evil with evil, we are only thinking of ourselves. When we feel the temptation to put someone down, or speak negatively, we must learn to stop and ask the Holy Spirit, “How would You respond in this moment?” Generally, we are so wrapped up in our own feelings or thoughts, we try to do it with our own might, we forget He is always with us, and we often forget to ask Him for guidance in the heat of the moment. “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24, ESV).
GIVE AND RECEIVE
Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38, ESV). What are we giving when we are angry, jealous, or fearful? And what are we receiving when we are angry, jealous, or fearful? Anger, jealousy, and fear – evil begets evil! So, how do we overcome evil? In my experience, reading God’s Word, discovering who He is, Him revealing to me who I am, and having a daily quiet time are paramount for resisting evil. Quiet time means putting away your phone, not having a constant input of other people’s thoughts filling your mind, and talking to only God. Love, joy, and peace are choices that we make. Even neuroscience claims neural pathways that fire together wire together, so the more you choose good, the more you will receive good. Choose forgiveness, choose trust, choose patience, choose kindness, and choose love! “For whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7 ESV).
Make It Personal: Even though my children often try my patience, it never takes away my love for them. Not every environment is going to be a positive one, but the more we shine the light of Jesus, the more positivity will be spread throughout the world. Stuck in traffic? Crank up your music and have a mini worship session right in your car. A co-worker says something out of the way to you? Turn the other cheek; you get to choose your reactions. Even the smallest act of kindness can have a giant ripple effect on other people’s lives. “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself” (Proverbs 11:17, ESV).
Pray: Father, we humbly come before You and ask that You reveal Yourself to us through Your word. Reveal to us who we are. Help us to not lean on our own understanding, and guide our reactions when we are tempted to return evil with evil. Help us to choose love, joy, and peace over and over until they become the only choices we want to make! Help us to let go of anger, rejection, resentment, judgement, and fear, Lord. Your Word says, “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it” (Psalm 34:14, ESV). That’s what we are asking for today, Lord – Your peace, which surpasses all understanding. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Read: Romans 12:9-21
Weekly Memory Verse: “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Romans 12:9, ESV