Everyone has enemies. Sometimes an enemy may be just one really bad person, like a Goliath. Or enemies may be a group wanting to cause or watch our utter annihilation. Some want to ruin our characters, jobs or minds. These enemies are of Satan (1 John 2:9-12), and God constantly says not to fear any human or anything in nature, regardless of how powerful and dangerous. Some of our enemies include the following.
Humans: Hateful, rotten ones. Moses’ last words to God’s people included, “When you go out… against your enemies, and see horses… chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord… is with you” (Deuteronomy 20:1).
Satan: The Adversary, a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is powerful, but God says that his fate is sealed already (Revelation 12:9). So, what is there to fear?
Sin: We must attack sin with all our strength, not fearing to conquer what keeps us from being special in God’s eyes.
Death, Pain and Shame: Jesus destroyed the power of shame and pain by dying on the cross, as well as the power of death by His resurrection. God said, “…do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).
God taught the Israelites how to fight (Deuteronomy 20:1). Today, He expects us to fight against our enemies, using His armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). God says we are to unite and work “side by side for the faith of the gospel… not frightened in anything by [our] opponents” (Philippians 1:27-28). Let’s “confidently say, ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” (Deuteronomy 31:8; Hebrews 13:6).
