John 17:15
I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from evil.
He was praying for our day by day spiritual victory over the adversary. To be strong in the spirit and to shine as lights and to live the more abundant life. We need to rise above the evil that surrounds us.
What according to the Word is evil and how can we overcome it?
Evil is anything contrary to the Word of God; it can be a negative thought or habit pattern or a situation in one's own life or a harmful situation in the life of someone you are trying to help. God is explicit and emphatic concerning how to overcome evil and how not to. He also knows natural man's tendencies. God has some great truths which define specifically how we can overcome evil and live a life that is more than abundant.
1 Thessalonians 5:15
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
Romans 12:17
Recompence to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
(The word provide, literally means to think before hand.) To keep from being entangled in evil we need to be thinking thoughts that are good and honest.
Romans 12:21
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Evil cannot be overcome with evil anymore than darkness can be driven out by introducing more darkness.
The two major Greek words for evil in the New Testament are;
Kakos, which emphasizes the destructive injurious nature of evil, and
Poneros, which emphazies the harassing nature of evil.
(The evil in the above verses <Romans 12 and 1 Thessalonians 5> is kakos.)
We decide what we think, good honest true thoughts about ourselves or the evil destructive lies of the Devil. I can think God's promises about a negative situation that confronts me and keep thinking them until I receive the deliverance I need; or I can succumb to thinking what the world says my chances are and live below par. What a person thinks determines what he says or does.
1 Peter 3:10
For he that will love life, ad see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, (kakos) and his lips that they speak no guile:
An important aspect of overcoming evil by renewing one's mind (to hold the word in your mind and act accordingly) is knowing something about the devil spirit realm and the equipment God has given us to overcome it.
Ephesians 6:12-13
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour (all resources) of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil (poneros) day, and having done all, to stand.
The Devil has to back down when we stand strong in our mind and claim and believe our rights as sons. Another tremendous truth that enables us to overcome evil is fellowship with like minded believers.
1 Corinthians 15:33
Be not deceived: evil (kakos) communications corrupt good manners.
A literal translation;
Be not mislead or deceived, destructive evil companionships corrupt good ethics.
Maintaining fellowship with those whose aim it is to destroy what we stand for will tear down our own believing and make us susceptible to the evils of the adversaries (Satan's) kingdom.
It is true we are virtually needed in the world to share God's Word with others, but maintaining fellowship with those whose aim it is to destroy what we stand for will tear down our own believing and make us susceptible to the evils of the adversaries kingdom.
Hebrews 3:12-13
Take heed, bretheren, lest there be in any of you an evil (poneros) heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
We are fully equipped to overcome evil with good. God has given each one of us His gift of holy spirit and the ability to manifest it. The greatest way we build ourselves up spiritually and exhort one another is by operating the manifestations of the holy spirit. We can truely walk strong in the Lord, defeating the works of the adversary in our own lives and bringing deliverance to God's people. Another way to ensure that we live above the evil of the world is to walk in God's love.
Romans 13:10
Love worketh no ill (kakos) to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Another great lever of overcoming evil in many situations is prayer.
Acts 12:1-7
Now about the time Herod the king streched forth his hands to vex certain of the church.
And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also.
And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.
Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the chruch unto God for him.
And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.
And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. and his chains fell off from his hands.
As Peter was moving God's Word he found himself in a tight spot indeed, from which he received spectacular deliverance as the believing household prayed for him.
1 Peter 3:12-13
For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.
And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?
Some ways we have learned we can overcome evil with good:
renew our minds to God's Word,
stand faithfully in the household
operate the manifestation of holy spirit
speak God's Word
Walk with the love of God
pray
As we faithfully continue to follow God's instructions we will keep learning and become increasingly adept at thinking and doing the things which enable us to overcome evil and win in all life's situations.
God bless and keep you.
If you never meet him, you must be going in the same direction.
