Carpe Deim?

²¹Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
-Romans 12:21 (KJV)


¹⁴But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
-Romans 13:14 (KJV)


Evilness is all around us, and unfortunately, the temptation to do evil is present as well. It's easy to get drawn into evil, all you have to do is go with the flow. We have to ask ourselves, are we listening more to the temptation to do evil, or to the calling of God on our lives. Do you remember the phrase "Carpe Diem?"  I remember several years ago when it was popular, it appeared on many things. Even Walt Disney World got into the action when they had an advertisement for Pleasure Island. In the ad, they said "Carpe PM." For them, it meant "seize the night." Carpe Diem means to "seize the day, putting as little trust as possible in the future."* For many people, this phrase imitates their day to day life. Are we living for this day, or are we living toward the future? 


For the Christian, I believe the phrase "Carpe Diem" should be something we stay away from. We look to the future, to our new life with Jesus in Heaven. We can trust that, because we know it's real and one day we will see it. On the other hand, we must "seize the day." We must use each and every day to bring glory to God and to share His love with others. What are we, as Christians, supposed to do?


Paul writes in Romans 12:21, "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." Evil should not triumph over your life. Evil should not consume your life. The word "overcome" means defeat. You should not be defeated by evil. But you should defeat evil in your life. Do you see where the thought is going? The opportunity to do evil is all around us. You should not fall into that evil temptation, that is being defeated by evil. Instead, you need to stand in your faith and defeat the evil temptation around you. How can I do that?


The answer, I believe, is found in Romans 13:14, "But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." If you are going to stand up and defeat evil in your life, then you must have Jesus in your life daily. Paul says, "put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ." Paul is using the image of clothing yourself with Jesus. Just like you would not leave your house without clothing, you should not leave without Jesus either. Commit each day to the Lord, and allow Him to lead and guide you. Paul teaches that by clothing yourself with Jesus you will "make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." In other words, when temptation and evil come knocking, you will not answer it and follow it. When Jesus is Lord, truly Lord of your life, then you can stay away from evil. Is Jesus Lord of your life? Do you follow the calling of evil? Think About It. 
*source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpe_diem