Overcome Evil With Good
March 23, 2014 | Todd Cyphers
#8 Overcoming Evil with Good
Peacemaker Ministries Resolving Conflict Series
I. Recap
1. Conflict is often a predictable pattern.
2. Cravings (idols) replace God and we hurt others to get the cravings fulfilled.
3. Avoiding or attacking never GLORIFIES GOD.
4. The 4 G’s - Glorify God, Get the Log out of My own eye, Go Gently to Restore and Go to Be Reconciled.
II. Overcome Evil with Good
1. What do we do if it is not working? - “Overcome evil with good”
2. Success is not always reconciliation – sometimes it is faithfulness.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
III. How to Overcome Evil with Good
1. Pray – Be specific
Matthew 5:44 - (Jesus said) "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”
2 Timothy 2:25-26 - With gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
A. Rejoice that it is God’s job to transform people!
B. We can be His instruments.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 - Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain. And God granted his request.
i. God’s blessing
ii. Life marked by increase
iii. God’s presence and power
iv. Protection from evil
v. Life free of deep sorrow (Overwhelming Joy)
C. Prayer is the real ministry.
2. Guard my heart and stay on the path.
Romans 12:14 - Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
A. Heart forgiveness – A disposition to forgive and love before reconciliation
B. Forgiveness and obedience move us to obey God no matter what others do.
C. Forgiveness and obedience keep the door open for reconciling.
D. Forgiveness and obedience declares the Gospel.
Philippians 1:12 Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel.
3. Walk with and listen to Godly counsel.
Proverbs 13:20 - “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
A. Get encouragement and truth.
B. Godly counsel includes much prayer.
4. Keep doing what is right refusing to imitate foolishness.
Romans 12:17- Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
A. Doing good to the one who dislikes us sets us apart.
B. Don’t just seek to avoid evil, overcome evil with good (Big and Small ways)
C. Walk away only if God tells you to do so.
Matthew 10:14-15 - "Whoever does not receive you, nor heed your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.
15 "Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.
Matthew Henry - “At their departure they must shake off the dust of their feet. In detestation of their wickedness; it was so abominable, that it did even pollute the ground they went upon, which must therefore be shaken off as a filthy thing. The apostles must have no fellowship nor communion with them; must not so much as carry away the dust of their city with them.”
Acts 18:6 “Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean”
5. The ultimate weapon is deliberate Christ like love.
Romans 12:20-21 Page #1136
Faith Sheet
Transformation Verse - Be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:3 (NASB)
Times with the Lord this week - If you have extra time, look up the cross references with the Transformation Scripture.
#1- Reviewing this Past Sunday
1. When have you seen overcoming evil with good glorify God?
2. Review the Four G’s with someone, and make sure to write all four in your Bible.
3. What role does the Holy Spirit have in us as we love our enemies?
# 2- Preparing for Next Sunday
God, Obedience and Dishonorable People in Leadership
1. Read Exodus 20:12 and Acts 5:29. What tensions might someone experience between these two seemingly opposing truths?
2. What struggles and hurts have you experienced with leadership that is challenging to honor or respect?
3. Read Ephesians 6:1-4 for this Sunday. Pray using the text.