How To Overcome Evil – Dale Black

Each one of us is confronted every day by the presence and power of evil. Evil comes in various forms – some from outside forces, some from within ourselves. I think if most of us were completely transparent, we’d admit that many of us don’t always succeed at overcoming evil – not because we don’t want to, but because we don’t know how.

I’m going to share from Scripture about the all-important “how.”  How you can actually overcome evil. First it’s important that we focus on the full truth. As believers in Jesus and students of God’s Word we have two, and only two, alternatives.

• We either overcome evil; or
• We are overcome by it

It is not possible to harmlessly co-exist with evil. There is no room for neutrality on this subject. The apostle Paul presents these alternatives concisely in Romans 12:21 where he says “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:21 (NKJV)

It isn’t possible not to overcome – and at the same time, not be an overcomer. By default evil will overcome. Only by overwhelming evil with good, does evil not prevail. It has to be one or the other. These two forces are diametrically opposed and only one of them can dominate at a time. Just as light and darkness cannot coexist in the same space, evil and good cannot coexist.

This has proven to be true in my own life. I must either overcome, or eventually I will be overcome.

There is a phrase often quoted among airline accident investigators and professional pilot instructors, and having spent the majority of my adult life in both of these roles, it has special meaning to me. This phrase could easily be applied to understanding the ways of God. The phrase goes like this, “Wise men learn from experience. But wiser men learn from the experience of others.”

If you want my opinion from more than 50 years of experience, it’s important to know that Scripture is true – even if we don’t presently understand something. “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock,” Matthew 7:24

The Bible is consistent that there are good and evil forces at work all around us continually. Just as we overcome fear with faith, bitterness with forgiveness, hate with love – we see that there’s only one power in the universe strong enough to overcome evil – it is the power of good.

When an enemy attacks, we cannot attack back with equal or lessor force and expect to win. We must overwhelm our enemy with a greater force. Every force we will ever need to overcome has been made available to God’s people in sufficient supply. When we confront evil, it is necessary to overwhelm it with good that is more powerful than the evil that confronts us.

Where does that power come from? The only source of that goodness is God Himself. We must align ourselves with God so that we have access to His resources. We need connection to God’s wisdom and power. This means that God has placed at our disposal – in the here and now – the goodness of God.

It’s imperative to understand that all that goes with God’s power and all the resources that flow from His goodness are revealed to us and made available to us through God’s written Word – the Holy Bible. This understanding is revealed only in an accurate translation of the Bible. No other book will do.

When we know and understand what the Bible teaches about accessing God’s power, we can become proficient in overcoming our enemy and any weapon he might use against us.

In the cockpit of a jet airliner, or military aircraft, warning lights are a common feature. When something isn’t right we see, and sometimes hear, the warning light or warning ‘horn.” Let me flash one at you right now. Caution: Make sure the Bible you are reading is not a paraphrase or one slanted by a denomination or a religion. Many people and groups have an agenda which results in compromise.

When evil confronts us… and we look to the Bible for guidance and wisdom, we will find that there is one revelation from God’s Word which is a key to our entire conflict. If we don’t take hold of this key and use it; we will be continually frustrated and eventually defeated.

Now take careful note… the next few sentences are this key from Scripture. This short and simple key is so vital and so very essential that you do well to memorize it. Are you ready? Here it is:

This evil that you are facing is not something – it is someone!

This truth is so simple that most people don’t recognize it or accept it. But God’s word is always true. Here it is again… Evil is not something – it is someone.

The name Satan means “one who resists or opposes” – that is, the one who resists and opposes God. He opposes God’s purposes and God’s people. As a believer, a child of God, the one who opposes us is Satan. He is our adversary.

So whatever weapon Satan brings against you, the root of it is evil. How do we overcome evil? With good. Everything from God is good. He has given us all we need to overcome – but we must walk in it. 1 John 4:4 tells us, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (NKJV)

You remain in our hearts and prayers. Remember also, with God nothing is impossible!
Dale & Paula

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