Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
—Romans 12:21

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
—Micah 6:8

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
—Psalm 34:14

We constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.
—2 Thessalonians 1:11

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth).
—Ephesians 5:8–9

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
—Hebrews 13:16

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Fruit: Goodness
By Jennifer Kane

Goodness is not a quiet dream,
Nor drifting thought, nor fleeting gleam.
It moves with courage, walks with light,
And stands for truth in darkest night.

It does not yield when wrong prevails,
It acts in love when hatred rails.
It turns from evil, seeks what’s pure,
A steady path, both firm and sure.

It walks in justice, clothed in grace,
With mercy shining on its face.
It shares with joy, it gives with care,
For God delights in deeds we share.

Once lost in shadow, cold and blind,
Now children of the Light we find
That every step, when Spirit-led,
Will bring forth good by faith we’ve fed.

It seeks out peace, it lifts the poor,
It opens wide the guarded door.
It speaks for truth, it mends the breach,
It lives the words the Scriptures teach.

Goodness will not be still or shy,
It responds to wrongs with love’s reply.
By God’s own power, strong and true,
It bears the fruit His light grows in you.

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Scripture: Romans 12:21, Micah 6:8, Psalm 34:14, 2 Thessalonians 1:11, Ephesians 5:8–9, Hebrews 13:16

In the Bible, goodness is not simply “being nice” or avoiding wrongdoing. It is an active, intentional choice to resist evil and live in a way that reflects the righteousness of God. Goodness is a spiritual weapon. We do not overcome evil by matching its force, but by doing what is right, pure, and life-giving—even when it’s difficult.

The prophet Micah described goodness this way: Goodness is active—it acts justly, it loves mercy, and it walks humbly. It is goodness rooted in God’s heart, not our own limited sense of morality.

In Psalms there is action and reaction: we turn from something and toward something else. Goodness is not passive avoidance—it is deliberate action to bless, help, and bring light where darkness once ruled.

Goodness is also the fruit of a transformed life. Paul reminds believers in Ephesians:
Goodness flows from our new identity in Christ—it is the evidence that His light is shining through us.

The good we do is never in our own strength. Paul prays in 2 Thessalonians: “We constantly pray for you… that by His power He may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness…” So walk confidently and know that God Himself fuels our desire to do good and enables us to act on it.

And goodness is meant to be shared. Every good work becomes an offering to God—a sweet fragrance that pleases Him.

Goodness is not weak. It is courageous. It steps into broken spaces with the healing of Christ, meets evil with love, and refuses to compromise righteousness for comfort. In this way, goodness becomes a light that cannot be hidden.

How can you actively “overcome evil with good” in your current relationships or community?
What is one area in your life where God is calling you to move from passive avoidance to active goodness?
How can you let God’s power fuel your acts of goodness this week?

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Lord, thank You for showing me what is good through Your Word and Your Son, Jesus Christ. Help me not to shrink back from the darkness but to overcome it with the goodness that comes from You. Teach me to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with You. Strengthen me to live as a child of light, reflecting Your righteousness in all I do. May my goodness be more than words—may it be action that pleases You and blesses others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

August 13 2025