Renew: Overcoming Evil with Good
Introduction: A Message That Stuck
I want to invite you to think back to your teenage years. Do you have some good memories? When I was about thirteen or fourteen, I went with my church youth group to a convention with about 1,500 students gathered in the Duckworth Centre at the University of Winnipeg. I still remember one moment from that weekend. The speaker had us stand in sections and shout out Romans 12:11: “Never be lacking in zeal! But keep your spiritual fervour! While serving the Lord!” It was loud and energetic, but it left a mark on me. And, as it turns out, my wife was there too, even though we wouldn’t meet until years later. Something was deposited in both of us: a call to live a life dedicated to Jesus. But the truth is that zeal looks different in different seasons of life. As a teenager, it might look like energy and enthusiasm. In young adulthood, it might look like meaningful conversations. In midlife, it often looks like raising a family. In retirement, it becomes investing time and reflecting on the goodness of God. And for many in our church who are in their later years, the question becomes: How do I finish well? How do I continue—not lacking in zeal—but serving the Lord with joy? That question brings us to Romans 12:14–21.
A Renewed Mind Under Pressure
In Romans 12:1–2, Paul calls us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. But here, in verses 14–21, he shows us what that renewed life looks like when it is tested. Paul is very realistic. Following Jesus does not mean your problems disappear. You will be wronged. You will be insulted. You may even face opposition or persecution. And when that happens, the instinct of the old self is to respond in kind. If you curse me, I curse you. If you hurt me, I hurt you. But Paul calls the church to something different. He calls us not to symmetrical responses, but asymmetrical ones. Instead of mirroring evil, we respond with good. Instead of retaliation, we respond with blessing, empathy, peace, and trust in God.
And everything in this passage builds toward one central statement: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21, NIV). That is the thesis. That is the invitation. So the question I want to ask is this: How are you doing? I hope you are not just “doing fine,” but doing good—actively participating in the work of good that Paul describes.
- Life with Your People: Community in Harmony
Paul begins with our life together: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15, NIV). This is a call to emotional solidarity. To be attuned to one another. Not just sharing space, but sharing life. I’ve seen this lived out here at First Mennonite Church. We pray together at our Sunday services for people in need. That is part of what it means to be the body of Christ.
I remember when my wife and I first started dating. She was in Winnipeg, and I was here in Saskatoon. We could have just texted or called, but instead we wrote letters—real letters, with stamps and envelopes. We were learning to listen, to understand each other. There was a line from a U2 song I used to listen to while writing those letters: “I want a trip inside your head… to hear the things you haven’t said.”
That is the kind of attentiveness Paul is talking about.
During a Prayer and Share time as a church, I had the opportunity to listen deeply to many of you. And one thing that stood out was how much this congregation values being a caring community. That is part of our congregational DNA. Paul goes on to encourage us: “Live in harmony with one another… do not be proud… do not be conceited” (Romans 12:16, NIV). If I could summarize it simply:
Empathy + humility = unity.
- Life in Public: A Witness of Integrity
Next, Paul turns outward: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone” (Romans 12:17, NIV). This is about our public witness. When I was in Bible college here in Saskatoon, I spent most of my time surrounded by other Christians. But every day I would go to the university to run track, and suddenly I was in a completely different environment. That became an opportunity to live out my faith in front of people who did not share it. Paul continues: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18, NIV). That doesn’t mean we control everyone else. It means we take responsibility for our side of the street. Your apartment floor, your workplace, and your neighbourhood should be a more peaceful place because you are there. I see this lived out in simple ways: checking on neighbours, sharing coffee, making phone calls, dropping off bulletins. These are not small things. This is love in action.
- Life with Enemies: The Radical Way of Jesus
Finally, Paul brings us to the hardest part: “Bless those who persecute you… do not curse” (Romans 12:14, NIV). And again: “Do not take revenge… ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19, NIV). This raises a crucial question: Who is the boss? Because If I am the judge, then I have to carry the burden of justice. But if God is the judge, then I am free to let go of vengeance and trust Him. Paul even says: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him… do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:20–21, NIV). How we treat those who do not treat us well is a true test of how well we are living out the radical commitment to be like Jesus! I learned something about this in a season when I was serving as a missionary. We had to raise our own support—what I sometimes jokingly call an “eat what you kill” budget. Over time, we eventually raised a few hundred thousand dollars, often though it mostly came in small amounts. One day, I received a letter from a partner organization—one that I trusted deeply—saying they were ending all their partnerships. That support was gone. Emotionally, it felt like being chopped down. But after taking time to pray and gain perspective, I realized something. This wasn’t an attack. It was simply life. And what felt catastrophic was actually manageable. A new church partner or a few small individual donations could replace that monthly support that was now gone.
Jesus is our Model
Sometimes, when we feel wronged, we interpret it as persecution. But not everything is persecution. Sometimes it’s just life happening. And if we let our emotions take over, we can end up responding in ways that don’t reflect Jesus. In moments like that, we need to remember Jesus. As He was being crucified, He said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” He entrusted justice to the Father—and chose love instead.
Conclusion: Love as Our Strategy
So here is the truth I want to leave you with: Leaving justice to God frees me to pursue peace.
Paul is not naive. He knows evil is real. But he also knows that if we respond to evil with evil, the cycle continues. But if we trust God—if we release our need to control justice—then we are free. Free to bless.
Free to do good. Free to love. And even if it doesn’t change the other person, it keeps us from being conquered by evil. So, let me ask you again: How are you doing? My hope is not just that you are doing well. My hope is that you are doing good—living out a renewed mind, overcoming evil with good, and making love your vocation in every season of life.