In this episode, Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina explore what it means to overcome evil with good. They unpack Romans 12:19-21—challenging listeners to leave revenge to God and instead respond to hurt with kindness and radical love. The conversation touches on the pitfalls of seeking personal justice, the transformative power of depending on the Holy Spirit, and practical ways to bless those who wrong us, even in our most vulnerable moments. If you've ever wrestled with how to handle hurt, offense, or injustice, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. Discover how choosing to depend on Christ and walking in His love can transform your life—and the lives of those around you.

Key Verses:

Romans 12:19-21: "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Quotes:

“We are the worst person to judge a situation when we’re the ones hurt.”

“The people who hurt us can’t heal us—only God can.”

“Jesus didn’t just avoid revenge—He actively blessed those who hated Him.”

Key Points:

1. Overcoming evil with good begins by entrusting our hurt and anger to God rather than seeking personal vengeance.
2. Radical love calls us to bless our enemies and respond with kindness, even when our emotions run high.
3. Depending on the Holy Spirit empowers us to transform conflict into opportunities for healing and reconciliation.

Outline:

1. Introduction (00:04)
2. Scripture Reading (00:50)
3. The Call to Not Avenge Yourself (02:08)
4. God’s Justice vs. Our Emotions (03:32)
5. The Destructive Cycle of Retaliation (06:16)
6. Empowered to Give Radical Love (07:38)
7. Jesus as the Ultimate Example (10:53)
8. Practical Example: Refusing to Take the Bait (12:00)
9. Handling Personal Offense with Grace in Parenting (15:53)
10. Relying on the Holy Spirit to Overcome Evil (19:16)
11. Final Takeaway (19:31)

Theme Music:

Here Forever by Adigold Emotion by TonyDrummer (all rights and licensing from Envato elements)

Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Ben Brezina Scripture Read by: Ben Brezina Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina

---

Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org

Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study.

In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, Ross O’Hair and Jamie Pharis Pyles explore Romans 12:14-18, revealing how believers are empowered through the Holy Spirit to bless rather than curse, rejoice and weep with others, and live in harmony. They discuss how old patterns of retaliation stem from the flesh, but under the New Covenant, believers have a new spirit and renewed mind to respond with genuine love—even toward those who cause harm. Through personal stories and scriptural insights, they demonstrate that what was once impossible under the law becomes both freeing and joyful through Christ’s life in us.

Key Verses:

Romans 12:14-18: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

Quotes: "In Christ, you can afford to be wrong, and you can afford to be wronged."

"It's not on our love and forgiveness that the world will change, but on His through us."

"God doesn’t promise great circumstances, but He does promise His presence, His love, and a peace that surpasses understanding."

Key Points:

1. Living in Christ means breaking free from the old pattern of retaliation and embracing love, even in persecution.
2. The renewal of the mind is not something we achieve by effort but something we allow God to do in us.
3. Unity in the body of Christ comes from recognizing everyone's equal value and responding with humility and grace.

Outline:

1. Introduction (00:04)
2. Scripture Reading (01:00)
3. Do’s and Don’ts (02:04)
4. Breaking Free from Old Fleshly Patterns (03:49)
5. Allowing God to Transform Us (05:08)
6. A Story of Responding with Love (09:27)
7. Persecution Reveals Our Faith (08:12)
8. Seeing Every Person’s Value (13:20)
9. Living Peaceably and not Repaying Evil (15:55)
10. Corrie Ten Boom’s Story of Empowerment (16:30)
11. Conclusion and Major Takeaways (19:11)

Theme Music:

Here Forever by Adigold Cinematic Strings by Cleanmindsounds (all rights and licensing from Envato elements)

Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Scripture Read by: Ben Brezina Participating Staff: Jamie Pharis Pyles Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina

---

Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org

Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study.

In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

What does authentic love look like in a world full of transactional relationships? In this episode, Ross O'Hair and Mark Fields explore Romans 12:9-13, a passage that vividly describes how believers are called to live out genuine, selfless love within the body of Christ. Together, they discuss the characteristics of healthy relationships, including authenticity, humility, perseverance, and serving others with joy and purpose. Through practical examples and personal stories, Ross and Mark unpack key principles like letting love be genuine, abhorring what is evil, and showing preference to one another in humility. They also highlight how living out these truths reflects our identity in Christ and fosters trust, safety, and unity within communities. Tune in to be encouraged and equipped to cultivate meaningful, God-honoring relationships.

Key Verses:

Romans 12:9-13: “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

Quotes:

"Healthy relationships begin with acting for each other's best benefit with authenticity and genuineness."

"When we know who we are in Christ, we can genuinely love others without striving—it flows naturally from our identity in Him."

"Building relationships requires humility and sacrifice, valuing others above ourselves, and reflecting God's unconditional love."

Key Points:

1. Authenticity builds trust and safety, which are essential for genuine relationships.
2. Christ-like humility means prioritizing others' interests above your own, creating space for deeper connections.
3. Healthy relationships require intentionality—encouraging others, praying for them, and serving with enthusiasm.

Outline:

1. Introduction (00:03)
2. Scripture Reading (00:50)
3. The Importance of Authenticity in Relationships (01:30)
4. Abhorring Evil and Clinging to Good in Community (05:54)
5. Giving Preference to Others Through Humility (08:29)
6. Enthusiasm in Serving the Lord (11:24)
7. Overcoming Divisiveness and Serving God's Purpose (14:16)
8. Joy, Perseverance, and Prayer in Relationships (16:39)
9. Contributing to Needs and Practicing Hospitality (18:40)
10. Final Takeaways: Living Out Love in Christ (20:22)

Theme Music:

Here Forever by Adigold Emotional Piano and Strings by MusicalSmile (all rights and licensing from Envato elements)

Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Mark Fields Scripture Read By: Ben Brezina Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina

---

Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org

Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study.

In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.