So, who is
your biggest enemy? When you read that question, did a dozen people’s names
scroll across your mind, and your blood pressure rise a little? Could you tell
me in ten seconds or less how they offended you, or what they did to end up in
your mind’s enemy column?
But do you
really know who your worst enemy is? My husband has a friend who’s been so mad
at a close relative that he hasn’t spoken to that person in decades. When my
husband asked him what the other person had done to warrant such an avoidance response, the offended person’s answer was: “I don’t know! I don’t remember
anymore. But I know they did something wrong, and I’m really mad at them!”
Can you
imagine wasting that much energy on being mad at someone like that, and for
that long? And I say “wasting energy” because this person’s anger has seeped
over into every other area of his life. He’s negative and complains about everything. Nothing ever works out for
him (he claims), life’s awful (that’s actually a tame word compared to how he
describes life), he’s terribly unhappy and manages to suck everyone around him
into the unhappy pit with him.
This person
thinks he know who his enemies are, but does he really? My husband says this
friend of his doesn’t really know who his biggest enemy is, and that is
actually the crux of his problem.
Then you
hear some people say they don’t have any enemies, and that people are not our
enemies. I’m not sure I agree with the thought that people aren’t our enemies,
and my reason is because Jesus referred to our “enemies”. In Matthew 5:43-44 He
says, “You have heard it said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your
enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good
to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute
you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise
on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Then later, in Matthew 7, He refers to some people as “dogs” and “swine.”
Pretty strong metaphors to use. Based on just those two references, I get the
impression that Jesus saw some people as enemies. And if He sees them as
enemies, then I think I should too.
Now I could
go into a discussion about this passage, how we’re supposed to treat our
enemies, pray for them and all of that, but that would be sidetracking from the
bigger question (and realization) of today, which is:
Who is your biggest enemy? The one that
surpasses every other enemy who’s done you or your family wrong. The one you
need to know and recognize as being alive and well on planet Earth and in the
heavenly realm, whose sole intention is to take you down with him or destroy
your witness as a child of God.
He’s your
biggest enemy, the one you need to understand. The one who’s causing all of
your “littler” enemies (people and nations) to do the evil they do against you. The one who
has the greatest influence over the world and the people inhabiting it. (And,
no, please let’s do away with the ridiculous notion that people are inherently
good. They’re prone to follow this big enemy’s guidance at the drop of a hat.)
The following
blog post (link below) is an excerpt of Jennie Allen’s book Anything: The Prayer That Unlocked My God and My Soul. It’s a story
about areas in her life that were under severe attack, a revelation about who
her biggest enemy is, and how she leaned into a battle against him. Actually,
she picked a fight with him, and is still fighting. But not alone. Never alone.
Read the
full post by copying and pasting this link into your browser.
The new edition of her book has just been released, which
you may also want to check out.
The post is
a good reminder that we are at war because we’re not yet in heaven. It’s an
even better reminder that we always need to be prepared, that we always need to
have our armor on and ready for the attacks. Unfortunately, we can’t let our
guard down.
Because knowing
your enemy is the first step in winning the battle.
Until next Monday, may your week be
full of blessings that you receive and give, your heart be full of joy and
thankfulness, and your days be filled with laughter. Build a little heaven in
your life right now, and watch your heavenly garden grow!
Blessings,
Andrea
When
the eyes of the soul looking out meet the eyes of God looking in, heaven has
begun right here on earth. ~ A. W. Tozer
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by Google
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