Overcoming Evil With Good

“The impact of one good deed was infinitely more powerful than evil.” This quote is from Mario Escobar’s book Children of the Stars.

Children of the Stars is the story of two young Jewish boys during WWII. These two brothers have to rely and trust strangers in order to be reunited with their parents. After miles and miles of life threatening cross country travel and being the recipients of the kindness from people they did not know, they are finally reunited with their parents in Argentina. 

At the end of the book, the older of the two boys reflects back on those who’d helped him and his brother to escape. He realizes for himself how the impact of one good deed was infinitely greater than all the evil. One good deed from one good person led to the next good deed from the next good person. It was only by the connecting links in a chain of goodness, that he and his brother escaped the evil that attempted to snuff out their lives.  

Yes, it is just a story, but it also reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s words, “Don’t let evil get the upper hand but conquer evil by doing good.” 

Evil, by definition, is what is morally wrong. Good, by definition, is to be morally excellent. Neither evil nor good are commonly used in connecting with the behaviors seen in our culture today.

 Evil and good are both absolutes. Are they a thing of the past? Some would think. Right and wrong in today’s culture is often replaced with, “You do you.” 

But, imagine two young brothers in need of help. It’s a matter of life and death. If the setting for Children of the Stars had been in America’s present culture, those two brothers could never have survived. There would have been too many hodge podge, wishy washy characters uncertain as to what to do. Everybody’s idea would have had to be equally weighted and debated. Without moral absolutes, anything goes.

But we are not left without hope. There are those who do know the difference between evil and good. We are not left to stand by ourselves. For this I am grateful. 

Why Bother?

Why bother overcoming evil with good? Because ultimately, good wins.

P.S.  I wrote the story of my journey to forgiveness for those who need clarity when it comes to understanding forgiveness. You can find A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness at Redemption Press and Amazon.