Choose to Let Good Win
Since the Garden of Eden, humanity has faced the choice between good and evil—a struggle that began with Adam and Eve and continues to this day.
This battle can play itself out in many different ways. A child begins to test the limits of obedience at an early age. At school, students face the temptation to take short cuts or cheat on assignments. At work, the employee wrestles with how much effort they must put into their job. For the athlete, the desire to win and defeat your opponent can bring out a competitive evil side.
Today, two American football teams meet in the biggest game of the year. This annual event is one of the most viewed sporting events in the world. Each team strives to overcome the other. They push through challenges and setbacks to achieve their goal.
This struggle mirrors a deeper, spiritual battle we all face in life—the fight between good and evil. Each day brings choices for which side will prevail in our hearts and actions.
Romans 12:21 is a powerful dual statement about this struggle. The first statement is a reminder of that evil should not be in control. In the original language, the word "overcome" conveys the idea of triumphing over something. Athletes compete with the mindset to not let the opponent be the victor. For the believer, sin and evil must not win.
The second part of this powerful verse explains how we overcome evil: by triumphing over it with good.
Our natural inclination is to seek revenge, rejoice in someone's downfall, or boast in your own strength. But believers live out the transformative power of Christ by responding to evil with love, kindness, and forgiveness. These are the true tools for victory.
In sports, teams often reflect the values of their coach and leaders. As believers, we must reflect the values of our leader, Jesus. Christlikeness is not a title—it’s an active way of life that enables us to overcome evil with good. A response of love, kindness, and forgiveness, show the transformative power of Christ. You can do this by forgiving a coworker who wronged you or choosing not to respond in a harsh way to criticism.
Today, choose to let good win—not only on the field, but in the battles you face each day.
The Way You Live, The Way You Think
"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."
Deuteronomy 11:18 NIV
When Moses speaks these words in Deuteronomy 11, he’s not talking about just any words—he’s talking about God’s commands, which he had just finished restating to the people of Israel. These were the foundational truths of how God called His people to live: to love Him, obey Him, and walk in His ways.
Earlier in the chapter, Moses reminds the people of God's power—the way He rescued them from Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and promised them a land of blessing. But along with the blessings came a choice: to remain faithful to God or to turn away. That’s why Moses urges them so passionately to “fix these words” in their hearts and minds.
Why the hands and the forehead? It’s a vivid picture. The hands represent what we do, and the forehead represents what we think. In other words, Moses is saying:...