Overcoming Our Enemies

 

Our greatest enemies are the ones we must fight from within. We battle the World, the Flesh, and the Devil. We have three powerful enemies that wage war against us in our attempt to live the Christian life.

The world is filled with powerful minefields that can sabotage our lives. James writes, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God” (James 4:4). We are to beware of this world and to understand that it is not our friend but our enemy.

Our second powerful enemy is ourselves. This refers to the flesh as our sinful nature that is constantly tempting us and pulling us in the wrong direction. We are to beware of our flesh. James explains, “But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” James 1:14-15).

Our third enemy is Satan. He is not omniscient nor omnipresent, and neither is he omnipotent; however, he is certainly powerful enough to trap us if we are not relying on the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter warns, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

The roadblocks that the world, the flesh, and the Devil put in our path are many, but here are some of the most common. Fear, hopelessness, guilt, shame, and regret.

Fear inhibits our lives and impedes our ability to live for God. It ties us up, so we cannot believe we will succeed. When the ten spies gave their reports about the Promised Land, ten of them were overwhelmed with fear. They made the people’s hearts melt with fear (Deuteronomy 1:28). Joshua and Caleb had different spirits because they trusted in the Lord and were fearless.

Hopelessness is the typical result of being beaten down by the world, the flesh, and the Devil. It is when you feel defeated and have no way out. That is a lie, of course, but your mind tells you it is true. When Hagar ran away from her mistress, Sarai, she found herself in a hopeless situation. The Lord spoke to her and gave her hope.  She said, “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me” (Genesis 16:13).

Shame and guilt run together. The antidote for overcoming guilt and shame is forgiveness. God’s wonderful gift of forgiveness cleanses away all shame and guilt. God’s forgiveness removes our sin as far as the East is from the West (Ps 103:12.

Finally, regret is a result of feeling like your life has been wasted. Joel 2:25-27 states that God can restore what has been lost. There is no regret when we trust God, no matter what has happened in our lives. The Holy Spirit wants to help you subdue your enemies.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. s and desires.