“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)
Take another look at that verse and think about it for a moment.
What is it telling us? How shall we live our lives in keeping with this verse?
Does it mean we should never allow an evil person to overcome us or be victorious over us? If you read the context of Romans 12 you will know that is not what Paul is saying to us.
Neither does the thought above fit with the life of Jesus. He allowed evil to harm him and to take his life even when he had the power to stop it from happening. He did good—the will of the Father—even for those wicked ones who put him to death in order that good could come to them and overcome their evil.
So think of some of the phrases Paul writes in the context of this verse:
“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil.”
“Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”
We, like Jesus, need to rise above the evil done to us to accomplish the good or the will of God we have to do.