I will let the Holy Spirit through Paul to Timothy in Timothy 2:1 lead off this second discussion on loving your neighbor. Paul states:
“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;” (emphasis is mine).
So, in talking to myself (or the Holy Spirit that is in me) first of all, let me get this straight:
1. Supplications is to ask or beg for something earnestly.
2. Prayers is self-explanatory, we should be praying.
3. Intercession is to do something on someone else’s behalf.
4. Giving of thanks – self-explanatory.
We are supposed to, on other men’s (and women – don’t get your shorts in a bunch) behalf – pray for them, beg for them, give thanks for them. “You are kidding, Holy Spirit, what am I supposed to be praying and thanking and all this nonsense for that bad guy over there doing all that stuff I don’t approve of?”
“Get out of the way son, look beyond the nose on your face and read on down, especially verses 3-6.”
1 Timothy 2:3-6:
“For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.”
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;”
“Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
Father, forgive us that refuse or forget to love ALL men!
AE
and continuing
Webster’s defines enemy as, “one who feels hatred toward, intends injury to, or opposes another, a foe.” Until recently I would never have actually used the word enemy when talking about other people that I actually know. I grew up sheltered, not from the idea that there is evil, but from an excessive amount of actual evil. Today, evil doesn’t hide in darkness, creeping and lurking around, waiting to lure people in. Evil is standing right in front of us waving its arms and laughing. When you point it out others look at you as if you are the one who is crazy, and you wonder, “Am I really the only one who can see this enemy?”
Our greatest enemy as Christians is Satan. He hates God, followers of God, God’s word, and generally anything having to do with truth and righteousness. I think that Christians in the west tend to forget that Satanic forces are all around us. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” We need to pray that God will open our eyes so that we can see the enemy before us.
I Thessalonians 5:21&22 “Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.” So think. Research. Prove. Decide if it is good. If it is good hold on tight to it, and if it isn’t good stay away from it. That sounds easy enough, but have you ever actually tried to point out to a fellow believer that they are playing around with something that is dangerous? Try it sometime. Watch the red faces, the rolling of the eyes, the anger slightly below the surface that someone would dare point out that their little idol might not be so harmless. They dismiss you with a wave of the hand, and don’t stop to think that maybe they could be wrong.
Every day we need to pray that God will make us sensitive to the things of the spirit, that he will grow us to be more like him, that he will give us discernment to know what is good and true. We still need friends to point out to us when we are wrong. We need Pastors who preach truth and don’t worry about stepping on our toes. We need loving family to call us out when we lose our tempers, or when we are still holding on to our own little idols. We need to pray this prayer every day.
So, how are we to practically recognize the enemy? It comes into our homes in the forms of entertainment. So watch, listen, and read with discerning eyes. It comes into our minds in the form of education. We are being indoctrinated to believe things contrary to scripture. Lay it out side by side with God’s word. If it’s contrary to God’s word, it’s the enemy. The enemy comes to us in the form of media. It’s even in healthcare and forms of exercise. Basically, if you are breathing, you are being exposed to the enemy.
Proverbs 8:10-16 “Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better that rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions. The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the forward mouth, do I hate. Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength. By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.”
We can know evil. We can recognize our enemy. We only need look with the eyes of Christ. Seek wise counsel. Seek friends who are discerning. Be willing to walk away from anything in our lives that allows the enemy to creep in. Put on the full armor of God, and stand strong in these last days.
GA
Voice of the Introverts 