I used to think that “resisting evil” was a matter of putting up strong walls, keeping my sword sharpened, and looking into corners for ambushes. Evil was clever so I had to be even more clever and watchful. But here is a different way: do good.
Romans 12:17a, 21
Do not repay anyone evil for evil . . . Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Note to myself: it’s not about “being” good (which is next to impossible anyway), but doing . . . overcoming . . . practicing good. And in this activity, evil gets the shaft. Novel idea eh?
How could I have missed this? It’s the same tactic when dealing with anxiety or fear: fill up with the positive thoughts along with love and the result is less room for the other crap.
We underestimate the power of good.
OK, so the next question is, “What is good?” In the same way that God’s laws are written on the heart of man [and woman, of course] (II Cor 3:2-3; Ps 40:7-8), so is the capacity for good. There is a choosing process, an agreement within, an acceptance of what we know to be good or right. Can we choose otherwise? Of course. That is, until evil takes over the heart, then more supernatural stuff has to happen to make the better choices.
But, just regular day to day folks can draw from this well of good, particularly if the Holy Spirit is present. This is the whole point. First we must choose to embrace the good and then we can act on it. And each time we choose good and then act, the power of good becomes stronger, more natural and more effective.
Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. . . .
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it. [Psalm 34:8, 14]
Keep me mindful today of this truth, dear God. Keep me drawing from the well of good. Selah.
Meditations from Zion 
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