Who is the Enemy?
When World War I broke out, the War Ministry in London dispatched a coded message to one of the British outposts in the inaccessible areas of Africa. The message read: “War declared. Arrest all enemy aliens in your district.”
The War Ministry received this prompt reply: “Have arrested ten Germans, six Belgians, four Frenchman, two Italians, three Austrians, and an American. Please advise immediately who we’re at war with.”[1]
Paul tells us that we are not at war with flesh and blood but principalities, powers, etc.
Eph 6:12 KJV For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
- People are not our problem. We have to live as seeing the unseen realm.
- The marriage is the target. (In counseling, the marriage, not individuals, is the client)
- Please advise immediately who we’re at war with. The devil is the enemy.
- If we realize this we won’t turn on each other, together we will turn on the devil!
Jesus had some interesting things to say about how to treat your enemies:
Matthew 5:44 KJV
“But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.”
Jesus’ example at Calvary
Jesus’ enemies:
1. Cursed him.
2. Hated him.
3. Insulted, slandered, and falsely accused him.
And how did Jesus repay this treatment?
1. He loved them.
2. He blessed them.
3. He did good to them.
4. He prayed for them.
We are to treat all people the same way as our enemies; that includes friends, strangers, politicians, bosses, co-workers . . . and spouses.
Will this really work?
We were God’s enemies. He treated us this way. And now (assuming you are a Christian) you and I have become His friends.
The strategy, again, has these four elements:
1. Love them.
2. Bless them.
3. Do good to them.
4. Pray for them.
“Unforgiveness is holding someone accountable for a past offense.”
“Forgiveness means that we give the offender a gift which he does not deserve.”
Mat 18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Ro 12:20 | 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.”
Jas 3:2 KJV For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.
Saved By His “Worse Enemy”
During the Revolutionary War there lived in Pennsylvania a pastor by the name of Peter Miller. Although Miller was greatly loved by everyone in the community, there was one man who lived near the church who hated him and had earned an unenviable reputation for his abuse of the minister. This man was not only a hater of the church, but it also turned out that he was a traitor to his country, and was convicted of treason and sentenced to death.
The trial was conducted in Philadelphia, and no sooner did Miller hear of it than he set out on foot to visit General Washington and interceded for the man’s life. But Washington told him, “I’m sorry that I cannot grant your request for your friend.”
“Friend!” Miller cried. “Why, that man is the worst enemy I have in the world!”
“What?” the general exclaimed in surprise. “Have you walked sixty miles to save the life of an enemy? That, in my judgment, puts the matter in a different light. I will grant him a pardon for your sake.”
The pardon was made out and signed by General Washington, and Miller proceeded at once on foot to a place fifteen miles distant where the execution was scheduled to take place that afternoon. He arrived just as the man was being carried to the scaffold, and when he saw Miller hurrying toward the place, remarked, “There is old Peter Miller. He has walked all the way from Ephrata to have his revenge gratified today by seeing me hung.” But scarcely had he spoken the words when Miller pushed his way through to the condemned man and handed him the pardon that saved his life. —Bible School Journal[2]
Luke 6:27-36 NASB “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, (28) bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. (29) “Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. (30) “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. (31) “Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. (32) “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. (33) “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. (34) “If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. (35) “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. (36) “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
