Enemies

Happy Sunday!

The only people on earth that do not have enemies are people that aren't doing enough!  Enemies come with advancement, progress, and distinction.  If your enemy has not revealed himself to you, it means you are not advancing, progressing, or being as different as you should be.  - Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III

When we become Christians, many times we falsely believe that everything will be perfect and there will be no struggles.  This is a lie!  When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior we simultaneously denounce the Devil and the old way of life. As we grow in grace and the knowledge of our Lord we become more and more like Him.  Use your Bible App and search the word enemy.  BibleGateway using the KJV version produced 109 results for the word enemy.  Why would the Holy Spirit include so many references about enemies?  So glad you asked.   

Dr. Matthew L. Stevenson III continued his series, "Rated R", with a teaching on "The Necessity of an Enemy".  Throughout the Bible, God instructed His people on how to deal with their enemies.   An enemy is defined as anyone that sets themselves as an opponent  to your progress.  Don't miss this!  In Psalm 3:1, David said..."O Lord, so many are against me. So many seek to harm me. I have so many enemies."(Living Bible).    In Psalm 23:5 he also says, "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."(KJV).    God did not move the psalmist away from his enemies.  He blessed them right in front of his enemies,  This is exactly what he intends to do for you!   

Enemies assist with our developmental process.  Our friends love us, affirm us, and confirm us.  But our enemies create an environment for us to see the underdeveloped areas of our life and character.  Our enemies serve as catalysts to cause reactions in us.   The appearance of an enemy is an opportunity to mature.  When our enemies insult and accuse us the proper response should be introspection.  Did what they say hurt?  Why did it hurt?  Was there any truth in it?  Then make the necessary changes to level up!  You will never be insulted by anyone doing more than you!   Psalm 25:19-21 says, "Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred.  O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.  Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee."(KJV).  Don't miss this!  Our integrity and uprightness will preserve us from every enemy attack!

Jesus even instructed us about enemies, and how to respond to them..."You have been taught to love your neighbor and hate your enemy.  But I tell you this: love your enemies. Pray for those who torment you and persecute you."(Matthew 5:43-44, Voice).   Jesus went further to say, "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake."(KJV).   Don't miss the word "falsely" in this scripture.  Make sure what they are saying is not true!   1 Peter 3:16 says, "But answer them in a gentle way with respect. Keep your conscience clear. Then people will see the good way you live as followers of Christ, and those who say bad things about you will be ashamed of what they said."(Easy-to-Read Version).  

Today, Dr. Bill Winston continued his series, Christ in You, with the subtitle, "The Greater Works".   Many times during this series, he has reminded us that God does not wish to see anyone perish(2 Peter 3;9).  Ezekiel 33:11 says, "Tell them, “As I live,” says the Eternal Lord, “I don’t enjoy watching the wicked die; I want the wicked to stop doing what they’re doing and live! Repent! Turn from your wicked ways. Why would you choose to die instead of live, people of Israel?”(Voice).  Don't miss this!  God doesn't hate your enemy!  He loves them, and he sent his son to die for them too!   BUT the Day of Vengeance has come...God intends for us to live far above the world and its limitations.  Anything or anyone standing in the way of our progress and prosperity is in grave danger.  You know the story of Daniel.  Daniel 6:3 says, "Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an Excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm."(KJV).   Then his enemies began to search for a way to accuse him of wrong doing.  Of course, they found no reason to accuse him but decided to use his prayer life against him.  They encouraged the King to establish a law that no one could pray to anyone but the king for a period of time.  Daniel 6:10 says, "But though Daniel knew about it, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs bedroom, with its windows open toward Jerusalem, and prayed three times a day, just as he always had, giving thanks to his God."(Living Bible).  He was arrested and thrown in the lion's den.  You know that God caused the lions mouths to be shut and Daniel survived.  But do you know what happened to his enemies and accusers?  Daniel 6:24 says, "Then the king issued a command to bring the men who had accused Daniel and throw them into the den along with their children and wives, and the lions leaped upon them and tore them apart before they even hit the bottom of the den."(Living Bible).  OUCH!  

Shift your thinking!  Trust that the Word of God is True, and Truth!  See your enemies in a positive light.  See them as an opportunity to be better!  You have no successful enemies!   Isaiah 54:17 says, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord."(KJV).

Love and prayers, Cynthia