From man’s perspective, life has become quite complicated. Things are constantly changing: from the operating systems of our gadgets to the societal definitions of normal. Relationships evolve, the rules transform, etiquette wanes, goals fluctuate, and so much more, …or so it seems. The political stage has become something like a perpetual parody of fools. It is increasingly hard to tell who believes in God and who doesn’t. Perhaps you have begun to ask yourself questions like: Who is running our country? Is anybody telling the truth now? Are they serious? Do they really think we are that stupid? What’s the world coming to? Does our government really need that much money?, etc. Perhaps the hardest and most disconcerting question to answer these days is, Who is the enemy, and who is our friend?
As usual, our most helpful resource is the Bible. It tells us very plainly that the true enemies of our souls are three: The World (its system), The Flesh (our illicit appetites) and The Devil. Because these three work against all that is holy and right, they happen to be the enemy of God as well. All three have been around since the beginning of time, and know our weaknesses well. When Eve (the first woman) was tempted, and partook of the forbidden fruit, all three were present, and exploited her weaknesses: “And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6)” The lusts of the flesh arouse our physical appetites, the lusts of the eyes stir our emotions, and the pride of life tugs at our intellectual moorings—three enemies and three internal triggers (hot buttons) for them to attack.
Paul said, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 7:24-8:1)”
Will you be part of the problem, or part of the solution? Know your enemy!