Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has called for courage in confronting what she described as evil, drawing on biblical teachings about righteousness and justice during a speech at Turning Point USA’s 2026 Women’s Leadership Summit.
Speaking at the gathering held in San Antonio, Texas, in June, Sanders urged her audience not to remain passive when faced with wrongdoing.
“All it takes for evil to win is for good people to stand around and do nothing,” she said, paraphrasing a widely known saying.
The governor referenced biblical passages to support her message, including Matthew 5:10, which speaks about those who are persecuted for righteousness, and the biblical instruction to pursue justice.
Sanders also connected her religious message to contemporary political disagreements, criticizing positions associated with her political opponents.
Her remarks have generated differing reactions, with supporters emphasizing the importance of moral courage while critics have questioned her use of biblical teachings in partisan political arguments.
For Christians reflecting on the message, Scripture also emphasizes humility, personal repentance, compassion and the responsibility to treat others with love.
Romans 12:21 declares:
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
The verse presents a challenge to believers to respond to wrongdoing without allowing hatred or bitterness to determine their actions.
Sanders‘ speech has renewed discussion about how Christian convictions influence public leadership and how believers can pursue justice while maintaining compassion and respect for others.