When faced with conflicting beliefs and opinions, people can have the tendency to pit against each other and treat neighbors as enemies.
It can also become easy for a man to hate others when faced with overwhelming struggles.
Likewise, you can be really frustrated when you encounter barriers in sharing the Word of God to other people. It’s like someone is preventing you from sharing God’s love, isn’t it?
Have you ever wondered where all these originate from? Are you just surrounded by bad things and bad people?
The Bible uncovers that people and situations are not your real enemies.
Who, then, is the real enemy?
Knowing your real enemy
Ephesians 6:12 says that the battle is beyond what the physical eyes can see. Your battle is not with people who are made up of flesh and blood. The real battle is against the evil and unseen enemy named Satan.
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12 NLT)
Satan does not want you to live an abundant and purposeful life. That is why he works hard to steal, kill, and destroy you (John 10:10, ESV) and every beautiful thing God has made.
His agenda is to steal your joy, kill your hope, and destroy your relationship with your Heavenly Father. He creates conflict and chaos.
Your ultimate victory
1 John 5:19 ESV says that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one, but it also says that we are from God. And no evil is more powerful than God!
God’s love for you has already paved way for victory over evil schemes. As a result of the sacrifice Jesus did at the cross, no death nor demon can now separate you from His saving love.
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37-39 NIV)
How to overcome the schemes of enemy?
Because God loves you, He will help you open your eyes and win the battle between good and evil. Most importantly, He wants you to participate in fighting the battle against the real enemy!
You can overcome Satan’s deceitful schemes by praying at all times in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18) and by putting on the whole armor of God, as said in Ephesians 6:13-17 ESV:
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
The next time you find yourself in conflict with others or whenever you are caught in a tough situation, take a moment to step back and remember who your real enemy is.
Stay close to God through prayers, resist the devil and it will flee.
Discover more truths about the real enemy.
Subscribe to CBN Asia’s YouTube channel and watch The Seat of Satan, an in-depth documentary about the ancient Pergamum’s Altar of Zeus that was taken to Germany and inspired Adolf Hitler – one of the greatest dictators of all time.