So just how are Christian ‘believers’ supposed to respond to rising ‘concerns’ that can appear to be ‘threats to a way of life they have known’, as I was asked privately yesterday after sharing my message. And just where and how does ‘spiritual warfare’ come in to play?

My post had more to do with identifying who our real ‘enemy’ is, as opposed to our ‘perceived…enemy’. I knew it would hit a nerve with some, if not many who read it.

All I know to do is look to scripture and trust the leading of the Holy Spirit to bring clarity to such questions, so let’s take a look at how Jesus taught and even demonstrated how we are to deal with our ‘perceived enemies’.

When He first arrived on the scene, we know he was The ‘answered prayer’ of a nation of people who were desperately in need of a ‘deliverer’. And who was the perceived enemy at that time? The Roman Empire.

What was the strategy that Jesus suggest we employ when with dealing with them? I believe He taught that we should ‘love our enemies….bless them who curse us and do good those who hate us as well as pray for them’ (Matt. 5:43-44). And if one of those big mean Roman soldiers ordered you to carry their heavy packs one mile…we were told by Jesus to carry it two miles (41).

When some of the disciples saw some other folks were out doing ministry work similar to what they were doing…and then other crowds were not receiving their message, they wanted to ‘call fire down’ on them, and were rebuked by Jesus for not being in the ‘right spirit’ (Luke 9:49-55).

And when those Roman soldiers took Jesus captive and nailed Him to that cross…how did He pray for them, as recorded in Luke 23:34?  "Father, forgive them...for they know not what they are doing."

So if we just want to single out governments and political alliances as potential ‘enemies’, (like those unrighteous, liberal Democrats…or worse)… then let’s explore that further. I would challenge anyone to show me in scripture, especially the NT…where the church is admonished to rally and strategize how to ‘take over the government’…in the name of God. Seems like the Crusades were more man’s misguided idea than God’s when we look back on history.

Paul tells us to be ‘subject to the governing authorities’ regardless of who is in power (Rom. 13), with no qualifying statements based on how ‘righteous’ those in power might be, or not be. Peter echoes similar thoughts, even telling us to ‘honor the king’…whether we voted for him or not. (1 Peter 2:13-17).

Nobody is trying to endorse evil rulers here, and yes…when there is a conflict as to whether one is forced to choose to ‘obey man or God’…then we are to obey God (Acts 5:29)…and then be prepared to suffer the consequences that might result; but again…we are instructed what our attitude should be as well- 1 Peter 2:21-23 and 4:12-17, also Rom. 12:17-21.

I have made the case on multiple occasions that far too many sincere, but misguided Christians are confused, if not conflicted on how much effort they should be making to ‘save America’. I have likened it to trying to ‘save the Titanic’ when we ought to be focused on getting in the ‘ark’ and getting as many people in there as well. To be ‘in the ark’ is to be ‘in Christ’…and abiding in Him continually (1 John 2:6). Trying to elect a new ‘captain’ to take the helm or changing up the buffet or movie choices on the Titanic will do nothing for it, given how we know it’s going to end.

Let me also address another ‘perceived enemy’ that is getting much attention these days from what I’m seeing and hearing, and it is this fear of ‘Muslims’ getting involved in their communities. I see where people are demanding they (Muslims) not be allowed to hold public office which is puzzling to me; and why not? I thought we had a ‘free country’ to worship as one feels compelled to do without fear of retaliation and such. Am I agreeing with all their religious views? Of course not…but this ‘fear’ that is spreading is not of God, this I know. In fact, consider this if you would…

Are we not commanded to take the gospel into all the world? Would that not include the Muslim world as well? And since most of us have found ourselves too busy or ‘not called to go there’… what if God is bringing them here to be evangelized? But instead…we are having anxiety attacks and afraid they are going to impose ‘Sharia Law’ on us all. So now we are supposed to ban them and ‘fight’ against them? Is that what Jesus is compelling us to do ‘lest we are overrun’ by them?

Social media can be an odd beast for sure. Have you ever noticed how it serves as a pipeline to stir up rage and anger and fear and anxiety, not to mention division? The ‘real enemy’ who is the ‘father of all lies’ is a spiritual enemy (Eph. 6:12) who has so many of God’s people running in circles afraid of their own shadows these days as he spreads lies and deception…just as Jesus told us to expect in these times. And yet…He, Jesus… kept His face ‘set like a flint’ to only do what the Father commanded Him to do, and we as followers who are abiding in Him ought to have the same mindset.

Pursuing ‘His righteousness’ (in how we live and walk out our faith) is what we are admonished to do (Matt. 6:33), to be a ‘light’ and demonstrate God’s love to all… as we ‘go and sin no more. I only mention that because we are told to ‘give no place’ to this enemy in Eph. 4:27…and how do we do that? When we ‘sin’. And while I remain adamant and believe with all my heart that this Bible of ours teaches us who our real enemy is, and clues us in to his ‘schemes’ (2 Cor. 2:11), let me at least give you the benefit of the doubt here and consider that all these ‘perceived enemies’ I cited yesterday really are the ‘enemy’ that are ‘coming in like a flood’ (Isa. 59:19). Guess what? Who did God always use to bring judgement? The ‘enemies of His people’, and you are not going to stop them by fighting against them. “The battle is not ours, but God’s”.

And when God did use the ‘enemy’ to carry out His judgments…what was the quickest way to bring the conflict to an end? It was through repentance, and not for the ‘sins of the enemy’…but their own sins. (Joel 2:1-13). He who has ears to hear…let him hear…