Understanding Our True Enemy

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24 NLT)

In her book Uninvited, Lysa TerKeurst states, “We have an enemy – and it’s NOT each other!” This is such a great statement, and it is also true. But think about it for a second… have you ever treated someone like they were your enemy? A spouse, a friend, a child? It sounds counter-intuitive to loving them, doesn’t it? If you love them, why would you treat them that way? In today’s Scripture, we read that, “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other…” So it makes sense that in our relationships, because of our humanness, we end up treating each other like the enemy by assuming the worst of each other. At times we even take on the role of mind reader – somehow giving permission to assume (or make up) what we want to believe about something or someone without ever asking or clarifying. This deadly pattern of assuming the worst without asking questions is a tactic of the true enemy, Satan, who hates healthy relationships. I Peter 5:8 (The Voice) states that “the devil is prowling around outside like a roaring lion, just waiting and hoping for the chance to devour someone.” It bears repeating: “We have an enemy – and it’s NOT each other!”

Tangible Takeaway:

If the enemy is trying to break your relationships:

-Don’t assume the worst.

-Literally stop and say to the other, “I am not your enemy.”

-Remind each other who the real enemy is.

-Remind each other Whose you are and that God is ALWAYS FOR your relationship.

This is an excerpt from We’re Still in This by Susan Goss. If you are enjoying this series, consider purchasing a copy of this new book to bless someone that could use practical words of encouragement in their relationships. Shop all DaySpring Books and Devotionals.