THE CHRISTIAN’S ENEMIES

1 PETER 5:1–11

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour

(1 Peter 5:8).

Today we begin a longer look at the subject of personal holiness and character development. With studies adapted from the Developing Christian Character series we will build on James’s remarks in the first paragraphs of his epistle. One of the most unfortunate myths about the Christian life is that it is easy. Too many evangelists preach a message that says, “Come to Jesus and all your problems will end.” You who read this paragraph know this is not the case.

In fact, sometimes it seems as if our problems are only beginning when we become self-conscious Christians. For now we become aware of struggles that we never knew existed before. From the very beginning the Bible compares the kingdom of God to a garden. Because of our sins, the garden is prone to weeds and thorns. Anyone who has tried to grow a garden knows the constant war against weeds, insects, and plant diseases. Anyone who has tried to grow in righteousness knows the war against sin.

The Bible identifies three great enemies that we face: the world, the flesh, and the devil. The world points us to two kinds of enemies. One is the physical world itself, which because of the curse resists our efforts to subdue it. The world frustrates us, and this can become an occasion for sin—though it can also be an opportunity to learn patience and carefulness. The other meaning of world is human society, the matrix of human relationships that exists outside of Christ. This Old Adam Society constantly tries to pull us back into a life of sin and blindness.

The world, in this second sense, finds a friend inside our persons, which the Bible calls “the flesh.” The word flesh ultimately refers to the Adamic nature. Adam was made of flesh, and when Adam sinned, his flesh fell. The inward part of the Christian that hates God and still wants to be with Adam is the flesh.

Finally the Christian must fight the devil. Devils or demons are fallen angels. Their prince, the devil (called Satan or Lucifer), is not omnipotent or omnipresent. In fact, he has probably never personally bothered any of us. But his associates are active in the world today. The fallen angels hope that people won’t believe in their existence. This unbelief gives them more freedom of action.

CORAM DEO

Luke 1–2

Much of any battle is identifying the enemy. Only then can the soldier effectively wage war. Identify, if you can, at least one specific enemy you need to fight in the physical world, in the world of relationships, and with your flesh. Ask God to make you more alert to attacks which may come today.

For further study: 1 Cor. 15:58 • James 4:1–10 • 1 John 2:12–17

wednesday

october