Monday, 28^th April 2025

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: DISARMING EVIL WITH LOVE

THEME SCRIPTURE: “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)  

PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:

1. How can we overcome evil with good?

Evil thrives on reciprocity. When wronged, our instinct is to retaliate—to “balance the scales.” But Jesus flips this script: Turn the other cheek when smitten. Give your cloak when sued for your tunic. Walk the extra mile (Matt 5:38-42).

Miroslav Volf’s insight rings true: Evil dies if unanswered. Yet when we retaliate, we resurrect it, giving it life to repeat itself.

In 1994, Immaculée Ilibagiza survived the Rwandan genocide by hiding in a bathroom with seven others for 91 days. Her family was slaughtered. Yet, facing her brother’s killer years later, she said, “I forgive you.” Immaculée refused to grant evil a second victory. Her forgiveness, she writes, “was a weapon, a way to disarm the devil.”  

Retaliation feels powerful, but it enslaves us. Augustine wrote, “Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” Conversely, love disarms. When Martin Luther King Jr. faced violent opposition, he preached, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.”

Goodness disrupts evil’s narrative, exposing its emptiness. Glory to God.

In the face of evil, how can we break its power and also its cycle?

We can pause and pray. When hurt, breathe, but also pray, “Jesus, help me see this person as You do.” Delay your response—even 60 seconds can defuse anger.  

Additionally, you can act (do) the opposite of what your pain is calling for. Bless instead of curse. Pray for those who despitefully use you. Compliment a critical spouse.  

Finally, arm yourself with verses like Proverbs 25:21-22:  “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread…"

Precious one, every act of grace is a stone dropped in evil’s pond—rippling redemption surges farther than we see.

Today, choose to bury evil’s first victory under a landslide of love.

Remain blessed.

FURTHER READING:  Matthew 5:38-48

Call to Salvation: Today is your day if you have not received salvation by turning over your life to Jesus Christ. Click here to do so.

QUESTION TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD

1. Are you struggling with revenge or bitterness at the moment?

2. Would you ask for God's help to let go today so you can be free?

PRAYER

Father, my heart craves revenge. Forgive me. Break my addiction to “justice” that poisons my soul. Teach me to weaponise love, to starve evil of its second victory. Let my actions proclaim: Christ’s resurrection power lives here. In Jesus' precious name. Hallelujah!

One-Year Bible Reading Plan

Acts 28; Judges 6-7; Psalm 118