You Have an Enemy
Just a reminder: You have an enemy, and he hates what is good in your life.
He probably hates your church. I say "probably" because Satan doesn’t hate all churches. But he hates churches that preach the gospel, that take his word seriously, that pursue true Christian unity and friendship, and that seek his glory. He will do everything he can to destroy and oppose such a church, often from within.
He hates your family. Satan hates marriages that reflect the beauty of the gospel. He hates children because they mean so much to the Lord, and because children are often quicker than adults at comprehending the beauty and wonder of Jesus. Satan will do everything he can to destroy your marriage and your children.
He hates the time you spend in Scripture and prayer. Satan doesn't mind an open Bible. He’s done some of his finest work among those who open and twist God’s revelation. But he hates a heart that trembles at his word (Isaiah 66:2). He fears even the weakest Christian who bows in prayerful reliance on our Father. Satan wants you to conclude that the Bible is boring and that prayer is a waste of your time.
I could go on. Satan hates all in your life that’s true, honorable, just, pure, lovely commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).
It may sound surprising that we believe in a real, personal enemy who is opposed to God and his people, but Jesus did. Jesus spoke honestly about his nature: he’s a liar and a murderer (John 8:44). He’s the father of all lies. In fact, the way that he murders is through his lies.
Paul spoke honestly about our spiritual opposition (Ephesians 6:10-20). In 1 Peter 5:8, Peter warned, “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
As I say, this may sound surprising, but I believe you’ll either embrace Scripture’s teaching or you’ll be repeatedly surprised as you encounter his work in your life.
None of this should alarm us, but it should prepare us. Satan is defeated. We can be put on God’s armor and stand against his themes (Ephesians 6:11), be sober-minded and watchful (1 Peter 5:8), and resist him (James 4:7). The one thing we dare not do is ignore him, because he thrives when we forget him and we’re unprepared for his schemes.
You have an enemy. Life makes a lot more sense when we live in light of that reality. It shouldn’t mean that we live scared; it should mean that we live aware. It should cause us to keep an eye out for his attacks, and to never be surprised when we experience them. It should cause us to live in dependence upon God, and to long for the day when our enemy will be fully and finally vanquished never to attack again.
Never forget that you have an enemy, and never forget you have One who defeated that enemy and will strengthen you when you experience the enemy’s attacks.
