My Enemy is NOT My Brother

Funny, as I wrote that title I saw how it could be taken two different ways:  one being that my brother (or sister) is not my enemy or, secondly, my enemy isn’t my brother (meaning I should not be close to the actual enemy as I would be a brother).  Though I didn’t intend the second meaning, it is just as true since I know there are times I have sided with my enemy in order to attack my brother.  Make sense?

No, I would never intentionally do that, but as I said in my post yesterday, it is so easy for me to lose sight, in the midst of confusion, of what is true.  Because of this, I often attack those I love; I look at my friend as an enemy.  Honestly, I do this more than I care to admit.  You probably do, too, because we’re all made of the same stuff.  The truth, though, is that my brother is not my enemy.  He and I are both victimized by the same results of sin which is a result of mutually being attacked by our common enemy.  So I lodge attacks against my fellow struggler, do the work of my real enemy for him and hand him an unwarranted victory.  How short-sighted can I be?

In practice, I have sided with my enemy as I would a trusted brother to attack the ones, whom in different circumstances, I wouldn’t dream of attacking.  The term for this is spiritual warfare.  In this battle, I must be keenly aware of the tactics and make sure I can identify the nature and strategy of my enemy and attack HIM and not engage in “friendly fire.”  I must humble myself and realize that I can so easily put rounds in the barrel and the cross-hairs on my friends…and I’m not afraid to pull the trigger.  And the enemy wins the battle through MY weaponry.  God, forgive me.

This is not theory or aimless musing.  It is Scripture and I do well to meditate on it and apply it to my own battles, lest I engage in conspiratorial actions against the very One who delivered me out of the hands of this common enemy.  So, I engage in warfare, but I have the right armor on, the right weaponry, and the right enemy…and he is not my brother.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For 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. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. ~Ephesians 6: 10-20