{"id":55931,"date":"2019-01-31T18:52:19","date_gmt":"2019-01-31T15:52:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=55931"},"modified":"2025-09-22T14:15:46","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T11:15:46","slug":"the-battle-against-our-enemies-a-biblical-understanding","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2019\/01\/31\/the-battle-against-our-enemies-a-biblical-understanding\/","title":{"rendered":"THE BATTLE AGAINST OUR ENEMIES\u00a0 A BIBLICAL UNDERSTANDING"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shalom! Welcome to the study of God\u2019s Word.<\/strong>
Scripture tells us, “<\/em><\/p>\n

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The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge\u2026”<\/em> (Proverbs 1:7).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The words of our Lord Jesus Christ are more valuable than we often realize. As we grow in the fear of God, our knowledge increases daily, until we attain the full measure of understanding that God desires for us \u201cto mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ\u201d<\/em> (Ephesians 4:13).<\/p>\n

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A Misunderstood Authority<\/h3>\n

One day, I overheard a conversation between two women. One confidently said, \u201cWe\u2019ve been given power to trample on snakes and scorpions!\u201d She continued, \u201cSo if your enemy comes before you, don\u2019t wait crush him immediately! Finish him off, because we have that authority!\u201d<\/p>\n

Her words deeply saddened me.<\/p>\n

Beloved, let me tell you the truth: In the New Covenant, our enemy is not human.<\/strong>
We do not war against people. Our real enemy is Satan and his spiritual forces.<\/p>\n

As Scripture clearly states:<\/p>\n

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\u201cFor we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.\u201dEphesians 6:12<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The Old vs. The New: Understanding the Transition<\/h3>\n

In the Old Covenant, we do see people like David, Solomon, Saul, and others fighting literal human enemies. Why? Because they had not yet received the full revelation of God\u2019s eternal plan<\/strong> through Jesus Christ. God, in His mercy, allowed them to deal with enemies in human terms but that was never His original design<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Jesus said: \u201cBecause of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.\u201dMatthew 19:8<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Just like God permitted polygamy and divorce under the Old Covenant, He also allowed physical warfare. But in Christ<\/strong>, who is the Word made flesh (John 1:14)<\/strong>, the perfect will of God is revealed.<\/p>\n

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What Did Jesus Teach?<\/h3>\n

Jesus redefined<\/strong> how we should deal with our “enemies.” Instead of retaliation, He taught us to love<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBut I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.\u201d
Matthew 5:44<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cBless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.\u201dLuke 6:28<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He went further:<\/p>\n

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\u201cYou have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.\u201dMatthew 5:38-39<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

These were radical teachings contrary to what people had heard from Moses, David, and Elijah.<\/strong> But Jesus emphasized: \u201cIt was not so from the beginning.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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Discerning the Real Enemy<\/h3>\n

When you encounter someone who hates you, slanders you, or actively opposes you, understand this: they are not your real enemy<\/strong>. They are a vessel <\/strong>willingly or unwillingly being used by Satan.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBe sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.\u201d
1 Peter 5:8<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u201cThe accuser of our brothers\u2026 who accuses them day and night before our God\u2026\u201dRevelation 12:10<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

So, don\u2019t fight the person<\/strong>. Fight the spirit<\/strong> influencing them.<\/p>\n

This is why Paul tells us:<\/p>\n

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\u201cPut on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.\u201dEphesians 6:11<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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The Six Weapons of Spiritual Warfare<\/h3>\n

Paul outlines six spiritual weapons that God has given us to win the real battle <\/strong>not against man, but against Satan and his forces (Ephesians 6:13\u201317):<\/p>\n

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  1. \n

    The Belt of Truth<\/strong>
    Know the truth of Scripture. Know Christ, who is the Truth (John 14:6).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    The Breastplate of Righteousness<\/strong>
    Understand your righteousness comes by faith<\/strong>, not works. This protects your heart from the enemy\u2019s accusations (Romans 3:22).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    The Gospel of Peace (Shoes)<\/strong>
    Preach the gospel, not just in words, but through acts of love. Show kindness to your enemies. Bless them. This weakens the enemy\u2019s hold.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  4. \n

    The Shield of Faith<\/strong>
    Believe that no attack will prosper. Stand firm knowing you are a child of God (Isaiah 54:17).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    The Helmet of Salvation<\/strong>
    Your mind is guarded by the hope<\/strong> of salvation. You were forgiven a great debt now forgive others (Ephesians 4:30).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    The Sword of the Spirit\u00a0 the Word of God<\/strong>
    Know Scripture deeply. When Satan tempted Jesus, He replied, \u201cIt is written\u2026\u201d<\/em> (Matthew 4).<\/p>\n

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    \u201cThe word of God is living and active\u2026 discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.\u201dHebrews 4:12<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    \u00a0Misusing Authority: A Dangerous Trap<\/h3>\n

    Many believers today are misled into believing they should pray death upon their enemies <\/strong>even writing names in boxes and calling down curses in the name of spiritual warfare.<\/p>\n

    This is not biblical Christianity<\/strong>. It is doctrine of demons<\/strong> (1 Timothy 4:1).
    Our \u201csnakes and scorpions\u201d are not people. They are demonic forces<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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    \u201cBehold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy\u2026\u201dLuke 10:19<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    But that authority is not for killing humans<\/strong>; it is to set people free<\/strong> from demonic bondage!<\/p>\n

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    A Lesson from the World<\/h3>\n

    Even worldly governments understand that to fight poverty, ignorance, or disease<\/strong>, you don\u2019t kill the poor, uneducated, or sick! Instead, you educate, treat, and empower them.<\/p>\n

    So why do some Christians “kill” those who are spiritually sick<\/strong> by cursing, hating, or abandoning them?<\/p>\n

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    The Disciples\u2019 Mistake<\/h3>\n

    When Jesus was rejected in Samaria, His disciples wanted to call fire from heaven like Elijah. But Jesus rebuked them:<\/p>\n

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    \u201cYou do not know what spirit you are of. For the Son of Man came not to destroy people’s lives but to save them.\u201dLuke 9:55-56<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    If Jesus didn\u2019t destroy His enemies, why should we<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

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    How Do We Know We’ve Won?<\/h3>\n

    Victory is when your “enemy” comes to know Christ or when a seed of the gospel is planted in their heart.<\/p>\n

    That person is not beyond salvation. They too were made in God\u2019s image. They hurt like you do. They are candidates for God\u2019s grace, just like you once were.<\/p>\n

    If we fight the person<\/strong>, curse them, or pray for their destruction, then we have lost the battle <\/strong>and become tools of the enemy ourselves.<\/p>\n

    From today onward:<\/p>\n