The world is growing darker by the hour. Everywhere we turn, we see people calling good what God has declared evil. Sin is celebrated, righteousness is mocked, and those who stand for biblical truth are labeled as intolerant. So how should we, as followers of Christ, respond to people who embrace and promote evil? How do we overcome evil with good?
Paul gives us a clear answer in Romans 12:9–21 (ESV):
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
This passage gives us a blueprint for how to engage with a sinful world. It doesn’t call us to compromise or to ignore evil. Instead, it instructs us to love sincerely, hate sin, and overcome evil with good.
Let’s break this down and see how we can apply it in our daily lives.
1. Love Without Hypocrisy
One of the biggest accusations against Christians is hypocrisy. The world sees us fail and then calls us frauds. But God never demands perfection—He calls us to honest faith.
Loving without hypocrisy means being open about our struggles. It means confessing our sins, not pretending we have it all together. When we acknowledge our failures and point to Christ as our only hope, we show people that Christianity is about grace, not self-righteousness.
If someone calls out your past sins, don’t be defensive. Agree with them! Say, “Yes, I have sinned, and that’s exactly why I need Jesus.” Don’t let the enemy use your failures to silence your testimony. Instead, use them to glorify Christ.
2. Hate Evil, Hold Fast to Good
The Bible commands us to abhor evil—this isn’t a mild dislike, but a deep, intense hatred. However, we must distinguish between hating evil and hating people.
It is easy to look at the world and become bitter or angry. But if we let hatred take root in our hearts, we lose sight of the mission Jesus gave us—to bring the lost into His Kingdom.
We should never sugarcoat sin or pretend that evil is acceptable. But when we confront sin, we must do so with a heart that desires redemption, not destruction.
Prison ministries are a powerful example of this. Many inmates have committed terrible crimes, yet they find salvation in Christ because someone was willing to bring them the gospel. If God can redeem murderers, thieves, and the worst of sinners, then He can redeem anyone.
Key phrase: Hate the sin, love the sinner.
3. Minister to Those Who Practice Evil
Paul reminds us in Romans 12:19 that vengeance belongs to the Lord. It is not our job to punish the wicked. Instead, we are called to bless those who persecute us and to respond to hatred with love.
When dealing with people who embrace evil, our goal should always be to minister, not condemn. If we truly grasp the horror of God’s judgment, our hearts should break for those who reject Him.
Here’s a practical approach:
- Pray for them. Ask God to soften their hearts and give them eyes to see the truth.
- Show kindness. If someone mocks your faith, respond with grace. If they are hurting, comfort them.
- Speak truth boldly. Do not water down the gospel, but share it in love.
Not everyone will respond well. Some will reject the message entirely. But remember, they are not rejecting you—they are rejecting Christ. That should make you more determined, not less.
4. Surround Yourself with Believers
Paul also encourages us to be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Christians are not meant to face the world alone. We need the encouragement and strength that comes from fellowship with other believers.
Spending time with godly brothers and sisters helps keep us grounded in truth. It reminds us that we are not alone in the fight. We go into the world to minister, but we return to our fellow believers to be renewed.
Find a strong Christian community. Surround yourself with people who will pray for you, challenge you, and encourage you to stand firm in faith.
5. The Urgency of the Great Commission
We are living in the Last Days. The signs are all around us. The world is not getting better—it is growing darker. But instead of despairing, we must see this as a call to action.
Jesus commanded us in Matthew 28:19-20 to go and make disciples. We do not have time to waste. People are perishing every day, and we must do everything we can to bring them to Christ before it is too late.
This is not a passive mission. It requires intentionality, boldness, and urgency. Speak truth, love well, and never stop sharing the hope of salvation.
Conclusion
The world is growing darker, but that doesn’t mean we should retreat or lose hope. God has called us to stand firm, to love genuinely, and to minister to the lost.
- Love without hypocrisy—be honest about your struggles and point to Christ.
- Hate evil, but love sinners—show them the path to redemption.
- Minister, don’t condemn—let God handle judgment.
- Surround yourself with believers—fellowship strengthens faith.
- Urgently share the gospel—time is short.
The battle is real, but we do not fight it alone. God is with us, and He has already won the victory. Our job is to be faithful, to stand firm, and to keep pointing people to Jesus.
Let’s go and be the light in a dark world. The time is now.
Other Resources:
The power of your testimony in the Last Days
Navigating the end times: Finding strength in church community
How do you overcome adversity? – Love Worth Finding
