THE REAL ENEMY

When someone falsely accuses you, attacks your character, abuses your relationship with them, or purposefully seeks to tear you apart ... you instinctively see them as your personal enemy. 

Your initial reaction may be to defend yourself and strike back. 'Turning the other cheek' is contrary to what you think is a justified response, but the Lord taught us to do just that ...  

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you. Matthew 5:44

Behind every person who harms, injures, or deceives you is a 'spiritual enemy'. People are merely pawns. Your reaction to an attack is compromised by the fact that you can see 'flesh and blood', but not the hidden source of their behavior. 

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.   Ephesians 6:12

This verse makes it clear that evil is not some imaginary force but instead an active, organized entity. At the moment of your conversion, you became a soldier in an ongoing spiritual battle. To be ignorant of your calling and the magnitude of the fight ... cripples a passive walk of faith.  

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.  2 Corinthians 10:3-6

You are to go to war against evil ... but not with fleshly wisdom, creative comebacks, or human reasoning. 

Tony Evans - Weapons such as prayer, reading the Word, obedience, meditation on Scripture, fasting, and service can blow up the devil’s strongholds. And that’s what we must do. These fortresses don’t need to be remodeled. God doesn’t tell us to capture them, change the locks, and use them for Him. Satan’s fortresses must be torn down. 

The forces of evil cannot defeat a believer who pursues righteousness, avoids sin, and stands firm in God's truth. When you engage the enemy from a strategic position; at the foot of the cross ... victory is assured. 

May you have this testimony, pilgrim ... I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  2 Timothy 4:7