1. Overcoming Evil

2. Overcoming Evil: Part One & Two
Stay connected to Jesus
Stay connected to the Body
Resist the devil and his lies
Flee temptation
Confess and repent

3. 5. Confess and Repent 1 John 1:5-10 NIV
5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

4. 5. Confess and Repent
8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

5. 5. Confess and Repent Luke 5:31-32 NIV
31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
How does confession and repentance overcome evil?
Why is this so important in our battle with evil?

6. 6. Forgive those who offend you
Luke 17:3-4 NIV
3 “So watch yourselves. ‘If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, “I repent,” forgive him.’”

7. 6. Forgive those who offend you
Colossians 3:12-13 NIV
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
How does forgiveness overcome evil?
How does refusing to accept or grant forgiveness open the door for evil?

8. 7. Release your right to retribution
Romans 12:17-19 NIV
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil.
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
How does releasing your right to revenge overcome evil?

9. 8. Love your enemies Matthew 5:43-48 NIV
43  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45  that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

10. 8. Love your enemies
46  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48  Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
How does loving your enemies give you victory over evil?

11. 9. Do good
Romans 2: 6-11 NIV
6 God “will repay each person according to what they have done.” 7 To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8 But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. 9 There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile;

12. 9. Do good
10 but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 11 For God does not show favoritism.

13. 9. Do good
Romans 12:20-21 NIV
20 “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

14. 9. Do good Galatians 6: 9-10 NIV
9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
This seems to be the most simple solution to overcoming evil. Why do we refrain from doing good, or doing anything, many times in the face of great evil?

15. Overcoming Evil Stay connected to Jesus Stay connected to the Body
Resist the devil and his lies
Flee temptation
Confess and repent of sin
Forgive those who offend you
Release your right to retribution
Love your enemies
Do good
If we will do these things, then we will overcome evil and there will be less evil to be overcome. We will have taken responsibility for our part of God’s plan.