One of the great difficulties for troops fighting the Taliban, was the Taliban’s use of women and children as suicide bombers. It was very difficult to identify the enemy! We, as Christians, are engaged in spiritual warfare; thus, it’s critical to be able to identify our enemy too. We are especially vulnerable—when our foe masquerades as our friend. The Bible says:
“We do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”
Ephesians 6:10-13
When we choose to be born again—we have chosen to be on God’s side of the conflict. We’re on the side that wins! But Jesus said—there is no middle ground—we are either FOR Him or AGAINST HIM. (Matthew 12:30) If we believe in God’s Word—that we are in a battle—then we must be vigilant and fully aware of the identity of our enemies. God’s Word clearly identifies our three enemies as: The devil, the flesh, and the world.
The devil, who, because of pride, was cast out of Heaven, is our arch enemy:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
I Peter 5:8
The Flesh, which is completely unregenerate even after we are born again in Christ, is a subtle enemy which wars on us from the inside, when the wickedness of lust prevails over the blessings of love:
“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.”
Romans 8:5-8
“Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh…But the fruit of the Spirit is love.”
Galatians 5:16 & 22
The world system, is the result of the influence of both satan and the flesh upon this once perfect world:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
1 John 2:15-16
While Jesus died for every person who is born into this WORLD; of the world system, He said:
“O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
John 17:25-26
My dear friends, in order to have a victorious life, we must be able to identify our enemies; who are the enemies of God. It’s not always easy to tell. If we saw satan for who he truly is, we would have no trouble recognizing him as the enemy; but he disguises himself as an angel of light AND his helpers masquerade as ministers of righteousness!
“Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light…his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness.”
II Corinthians 11:14-15
With three such powerful enemies, Is it any wonder that today’s culture is confused about what is good and what is evil? Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Ephesians 2:2); and thus, his worldly culture “cancels” any truth of the Bible that isn’t “woke.” Meanwhile our lustful flesh, as the enemy of God, is also constantly pounding on us to live contrary to God’s Word. But—IN CHRIST—we CAN have victory over our enemies by keeping mindful that the things of this world are to be used to glorify God!!!
It is the truth of God’s Word which enlightens us to the deceptive ways of our enemies.
Ah, my friends, if you want to live a victorious Christian life, it’s true, you must know your enemies; but even more importantly, you must know the ONE who defeated the enemy. Jesus said,
“I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
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6 Responses
Blessings to you and to your son thank you so much for sharing this story with us
Dear Kim,
Greetings. Today, I have read the truth in the word of God that you wrote and explained in very clearly, perfectly, and correctly.
Thanks to God for His Blessings upon you and thanks to Him for His word that gives life to all of us 🙏.
In Christ
Madhava, India 🇮🇳
Thanks be to God for His wonderful Words of life!
This was informative . I enjoyed reading it. ❤️
Amen! Our Almighty Father God. I truly enjoyed this devotional today. Thank you for your continued service to our Lord. Kimberly Faith. Thanks, Tammy 🙏✝️🙏✝️
Bless you! God is so good to teach us.
~Kimberly