Three Things to Do When Dealing with an Enemy
Over the last couple of years, it seems like every day I wake up the world is spinning more and more out of control. Christians are being targeted merely for gathering together to worship. Families are at odds with one another over health decisions of the individual. The Middle East is in turmoil. Things we never would have dreamed of are dividing friends and loved ones. It is clear that if you are a bible-believing Christian, you are under attack by the world. Sometimes the thought of being surrounded by conflict is overwhelming. Whether it’s the demonic forces of this world or a person we frequently encounter, we all have at least one enemy we are fighting against. How do we Biblically respond when dealing with an enemy?
In Exodus chapter fourteen, the Children of Israel are surrounded by their enemies the Egyptians with no path for escape. After the ten plagues, they finally had made their narrow escape when Pharaoh threw them out of Egypt. He quickly changed his mind, however, and set his army in desperate pursuit.
Exodus 14:13-14, “And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
Set your Security in the Lord
Are you becoming overwhelmed by fear? Or are you putting your trust in the Lord?
Fear is a painful emotion based upon the expectation of impending evil or danger. It is rooted in the sin of unbelief. We experience fear when we fail to trust God with our future, knowing He is in control and holds all things in His hands. How can we overcome fear? We overcome when we flee to the Lord for refuge.
Psalm 91:1-5, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;”
There is comfort and peace found in the presence of the Lord. If you are overwhelmed by fear, perhaps you are spending too much time in the WORLD and not enough time in the WORD. God is our protecting shield. He is our peace. He keeps us secure when we are rooted in Him.
Stand Still
What is the first thing you do when in a conflict? Do you immediately react?
When we react to a situation before seeking the Lord, we often respond emotionally. This generally leads to sinful behavior. Our emotions are not necessarily wrong in and of themselves. They usually signal to us that something is wrong. However, relying solely upon them in our responses, will often lead us astray.
When a difficult situation arises, or we encounter a conflict with another person, the best thing to do is just to stop and be still. Being still, gives God a chance to work and allows us to hear His voice. If you are so busy talking, you cannot listen for the voice of God. More often than not, God is using the conflict to work in us and change us. It is not necessarily about “fixing” the other person. Many times, God uses conflict to mold us into His image.
Psalm 46:9, “He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth…Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”
When we have a disagreement with a person, our tendency is to initially tell them every way in which they are wrong. This usually leads to saying much more than should be said. If possible, walk away from the situation until emotions can be brought in check. (This doesn’t mean giving the cold shoulder). Gently tell the person you need some time to respond or consider what has been said. And remember, not every offense requires a response. Sometimes we just need to extend grace and forgiveness.
Proverbs 10:12, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
See the Salvation of the Lord
Exodus 14:14, “The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.”
We glorify the Lord when we wait for His deliverance from our situation. He promises to fight our battles for us. I think many conflicts would turn out much better if we would just yield control to the Lord and “hold our peace.” How many times would we have been better off if we just kept our mouths closed?
Proverbs 17:27, “He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.”
We have to remember when in the midst of conflict, we are not actually fighting flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12). We are fighting a spiritual battle. Satan uses conflict even amongst the brethren to damage and destroy. If he can keep believers from working together, he can keep them from accomplishing anything for the Lord. Satan is the sower of disunity.
Psalm 18:17, “He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me.”
Psalm 34:17-18, “The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
The greatest victories are achieved when we allow the Lord to fight for us. It is an act of submission to the Lord. Victory may not come in the way we wanted, but it will come in the way that the Lord directs. He knows best and wants us to walk victoriously.
Closing thoughts…
What battles are you currently facing in your life? Are you dealing with a conflict with another person? Or maybe just afraid of the turmoil in the world around you?
When we flee to the presence of the Lord in the midst of conflict, we will experience His comforting peace and ultimate deliverance when we allow Him to fight for us.
No matter what you may be facing today, I pray that you will be filled with the overwhelming peace of God!
Philippians 4:7, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
