Fighting the Enemy (Psalm 57:4)

Today's scripture: Psalm 57:4

I have been very blessed in so many ways. One way is that I've never really had any enemies. Oh, certainly, I have had people around me who haven't liked me much, but—at least to my knowledge—no one has ever come after me with sharp-sword tongues or teeth of spears and arrows.

However, there is one enemy who would love nothing more than to steal my joy and shake my faith. The "prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2) is intent on keeping God's children from fulfilling their God-given purpose. He knows he's lost the war with us, but he still wants to win as many battles as possible. He often works through the enticements of this world to take our focus off of God.

He's the "father of lies" (John 8:44), and we must "be alert" because he's wandering about like a "roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). One of the biggest lies he's telling now is that lust is good. So many people who follow Christ don't see anything wrong with pre-marital (or even extra-marital) sex. And when the enemy undermines God's commandments in one area, it makes it somehow easier for us to ignore God's other commandments.

We may not be surrounded by human enemies, but we are definitely surrounded by supernatural ones. We need to be God-focused. We need to know His word and surround ourselves with godly people. We need to seek God's will and His kingdom (Matthew 6:33). We need to dwell on those good and right things (Philippians 4:8).

Only then can we combat the lies of the enemy.

The Lies of the Enemy (2 Cor. 11:12-15)

Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:12-15

Oh, these verses are chilling.

The enemy of our souls, the “prince of the power of the air” (Ephesians 2:2), often “disguises himself as an angel of light.” He is a liar and, indeed, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). And as the best of deceivers, he often entices with promises of seemingly good things.

Use this drug, and you’ll feel good.

Sleep around. Everyone does it, and you have the right to do whatever you want. It’s your body.

Use that credit card. You deserve that [fill in the blank], and that’s what credit’s for, right?

Even worse, You’re in control. You don’t need a savior. You’re a good person. So just live your life.

But worst of all? He influences mere humans to deceive as well. False apostles who have started “churches” proclaiming we’re all gods, so we don’t need one true God. Or it doesn’t matter what a person believes because all paths lead to whatever each individual's definition of “god” is.

Even deceitful workers exist within churches that claim to be Bible-believing, Christ-followers.  They say the Bible can be pulled apart and interpreted at will. As long as you don’t hurt anyone or break any laws, anything goes.

It’s so easy to get sucked into to false light. But it is false. Only God is light. True light. And one day, the false light of the enemy will be shut off forever.

And the God of light will illumine heaven and earth:

And there will no longer be any night; and they will not have need of the light of a lamp nor the light of the sun, because the Lord God will illumine them; and they will reign forever and ever.
(Revelation 22:5)