While there is a lot of evil in the world, the critical question to be asked is how can we overcome evil with good? This was the focus of Wednesday Night Bible Study at First Timothy Baptist Church. Utilizing the book, Beyond the Sunday Sermon, Dr. Ronald Holmes’ message highlighted three things we can do to overcome evil with good. We must (1) fight, (2) prepare and (3) have a closer walk with God.

Dr. Holmes said we will neither overcome evil nor will God deliver us from evil until we engage in a good fight; so we must “fight the good fight of faith” in the midst of evil (1 Timothy 6: 12). We must “overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21). Good comes from God; and evil comes from the devil. “For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee” (Psalm 5:4). Thus, as evil comes in our lives, we must “put on the whole armor of God:” so we can “stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,” powers, the rulers of the darkness of this world, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). When we have overcome evil, we can say, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

In point two, Dr. Holmes said that if we are going to overcome evil, we must prepare for evil through fervent prayer. We must watch and pray that we do not enter into temptation (Matthew 26:41). The devil will tempt us. Sometimes, Jesus will test us. In the book of Job, the Lord allowed the devil to tempt Job. The devil argued with the Lord that Job is only righteous because of his good health, wealth and fortune; so the Lord allowed the devil to test Job’s righteousness by causing Job to suffer mentally and physically, lose his sons, daughters and property. Job being a man of faith, refused to curse God despite his suffering.  In fact, Job said, “Naked came I from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither; the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Therefore, we must be like Job and disallow an opportunity for the devil to attack our faith.

For point three, Dr. Holmes said that if we are going to overcome evil, we must have a closer walk with God. In fact, we must draw closer to God so that evil has no power or domination over us in this world (John 17:15). This is the reason we must pray Lord, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).  To overcome evil, we must be mindful of Psalms 23:4 and 97:10 respectively. They read: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4). “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked (Psalm 97:10). In other words, when we love the Lord, we not only hate evil, but we also hate being around evil people, doing evil things, saying evil things about our loved ones, friends and church members. When we love the Lord, he will deliver us from evil. He will deliver us out of the hands of the wicked, said Holmes.

Wednesday’s bible study lesson on August 7 at 7:00p.m. – 8:00p.m. (EST) is, “Peace Be Still: Endure to the End,” from the book, Beyond the Sunday Sermon. The book can be purchased online from Amazon.com. To virtually attend the bible study, go to the First Timothy Baptist Church’s website, YouTube or Facebook.

Dr. Ronald Holmes is the author of 27 books and publisher of “The Holmes Education Post,” an education focused Internet newspaper. His books for children cover topics on the coronavirus, solar system, flowers, careers and school bullying.  His books for adults focus on religion, relationships, hazing, workplace bullying, bipolar disorders, issues in education and completing the dissertation.