The Enmity Within

Chapter 6

The Enmity Within In the last 6000 years, the power of God has been revealed in many ways. In the creation of the heavens and the Earth and all that is in them, His creative power was displayed mightily. When He flooded the Earth with water, and destroyed the Tower of Babel, confusing the languages of all people, His ability to control both the elements of the whole planet and the minds of men, was undeniably demonstrated. Through the miraculous deliverance from Egypt, that was promised and prophesied many years before, to the parting of the Red Sea, to the clearing of the land of Canaan, His wondrous acts of power were visible revealed. In the very turning of seasons, and His ability to foresee and foretell the future, He is proven to be the Eternal One, the omnipotent God, gracious and kind, Who declares that He will show mercy unto thousands of them that love him and keep His commandments. (Deuteronomy 5:10) When we consider all the wonders performed and recorded in the Old Testament and then look at the world around us, it seems that times are different now. While there are those who still wonder through deserts and live in tents, technology, especially in the western world, has obscured God by its miracles of innovation. The Father has not parted a sea for millennia and for some, if He does exist, He seems to have withdrawn Himself and/or abandoned His creation. It often seems difficult to see how the things that took place “back then” have anything to do with mankind today. However, one thing has not changed and that is the sinful nature of man. Man’s inhumane treatment toward/against his fellow man (evil enmity) makes it clear that things haven’t changed that much since early Biblical times. In fact, the things that happened then are extremely relevant today as greater and more perverse atrocities are recognized in today’s societal behavior – both the behavior within society and society as a whole. We are admonished by Jesus in Matthew 24:37-39, “..as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. 38 For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, 39 And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” In Genesis 6:5, Noah’s day is described in very alarming terms. “…God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” This, of course, is if we consider enmity (in man/mankind) on a worldwide scale or as it relates to individuals and/or groups of individuals, nations and kingdoms of men on a physical level. We must not fail, however, to take into account that the very battle, which we speak of as being in the physical realm, is also taking place on a personal level, in a spiritual realm. Just as there is a spirit of war among the nations, there is also, within each of us, a battle raging. It is a battle against “principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (heavenly things). See Ephesians 6:12. The winner of this battle will be either God or Satan and it will culminate in either eternal life or eternal death. God is still in the seat of power and ultimately all things will be accomplished after His will and according to His purpose, but in His love and grand mercy He has given us free will – we can choose whom we will serve. It is expected of us to know: “…that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16 23

and that, “…they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:5-7 When Jesus abolished “the enmity” by His death on the cross. He abolished the enmity between God and man and between man and man that abides in our sinful human nature. (see “Reconciling the Enmity,” chapter 4) For this enmity to be abolished within us, however, Christ must be abiding in the heart, fighting off the wiles of the devil on our behalf. We must let self die and be born again for the provision to be applied. As Jesus said in John 3:2, “…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” It is also stated by Paul in Acts 14:22, was “…Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.” Anyone who refuses and rejects God’s plan of deliverance or rejects His calls of mercy to repent, will, in the end, be left without a defender and the accuser of the brethren (Revelation 12:10) will have won the battle. No one can win a battle over Satan without the victorious power of the Spirit of Christ abiding within. The Father, of course, knew this and provision was made to supply the power to overcome. In Jeremiah 31:31-34, God promises, “ As pointed out in the beginning chapters of this book, the evil enmity spoken of is unsuspected and not always discernable (recognizable). Instead, it lurks, waiting to catch us off guard and spring a trap into which we, by nature, will fall. We, ourselves, often set our own traps and then, when we fall into them, we blame God for “allowing” us to be harmed. Many in prison mistakenly believe that God has put them there “for a reason.” God, however, does not “put” people in prison, but rather, works diligently to get people to wake up to their danger before they find themselves behind bars. When they do find themselves there it is because they have done something that results in their being there and then God, in His righteousness, visits them there also and now, they are a “captive” audience. Remember when we spoke earlier of how evil enmity will sometimes reveal itself in the form of flattery or sweet words? This too, most assuredly, applies at the personal level. Convincing ourselves that we are smarter than others and won’t get caught if we commit a crime, for instance. One of the most insidious workings of enmity is seen in the way we flatter ourselves with sweet words, telling ourselves that we are not “as bad” as some others. Not realizing that Scripture teaches that “All we like sheep have gone astray…” (Isaiah 53:6) We find ourselves measuring ourselves against others and fine it easy to tell ourselves that we are, “at least,” better than many others to whom we can point. We are told in 2Corinthians 10:12 & 13; “…we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.” The problem is that we are supposed to be measuring ourselves to conform to the One who came to establish the standard for all righteous human behavior and condemn all behavior that is ungodly.

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“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6) When we offend others, by “telling them the truth about themselves,” and justify our behavior by telling ourselves, “…they needed it…” it is not always in the Spirit of love as God would intend. In addition, people often attempt to give their “counsel” a Bible-based [sic] perspective and call it “tough love.” When we do this, we do both them and God a disservice. I have yet, in all my reading, to find the term, nor even the concept, used in Scripture as it refers to God’s dealing with man/mankind. God is Love and every act committed, every blessing bestowed, and every judgement rendered was for the good of the people out of the Father’s heart of Love and compassion. If one wishes to practice tough love, let him/her do it on their own, they need not burden God by claiming it comes from Him, God has never taught us to be hurtful or harmful to accomplish a godly duty. Resorting to using tough love often means that a person has run out of patience in dealing with an individual and can find no other way of loving them other than getting “tough.” Is there a place in the Christian’s life for tough love? Did Christ use tough love? Many say “Yes!” But, perhaps, they have not read 1Corinthians 13:4-7, where is stated, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” It is agreed that there are times when a person presses to the limit those who minister to their needs and there must be a way to deal with such individuals. A reprimand from Scripture will go much further in correcting a person’s behavior than a personal rebuke from their fellow man. One does not always have ready remembrance of just the right Scripture to meet the present need of an individual caught in Sin, but that doesn’t give license for him/her to lapse into their own sinful nature and “come up with” a tough way to deal with the situation. If one cannot know, in Scripture, a text or passage that meets the present need, then love is always the answer. In prayer, the issue should be addressed and then, further study of Scripture is needed on the part of both the counselor and the one being counseled. If the answer were to come from God’s Word, would it not be a loving answer? Loving someone does not mean that we just let them continue in Sin, but it will always leave them with the knowledge that they are loved, regardless of the means by which they are corrected. The Bible tells us to rebuke, exhort, counsel, caution and reprove “to edification.” A person should always come out higher and closer to God as a result of our efforts in the realm of counseling. (See “Spiritual Mentoring,” by the same author of this booklet.) It is by the power of God’s Holy Spirit that all things Holy will be accomplished. It is by the power of God that His plan of redemption will be completed. We, while attempting to justify our ungodly deeds, are living in the flesh and the Spirit of God is unable to convict us of Sin, of righteousness and of judgement. (John 16:8) We may view ourselves as “saved” because our deeds (so far in life) have not been as “bad” as the deeds of many, but this is only self-justification. The tragedy of the situation is that by justifying ourselves we also deny the justification that God has provided through Jesus Christ, our Lord. For if we can justify ourselves, why then, would we then need Christ’s justification. In addition and an extension of the same issue is the fact that, as long as we are justifying ourselves, Christ’s justification cannot be applied. We often neglect the study of the Word of God because it condemns us and calls for submission to God on His terms. The evil enmity in each of us will often direct our minds to either deny that God even exists or that He cannot really be as good as some make Him out to be – anything to keep

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from suffering the condemnation and guilt. “Anything,” by the way, includes, as recorded in an earlier chapter, forfeiture of eternal life. The Bible teaches that: “…without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) and that we should: “…know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” (1Choronicles 28:9) If we truly know God, we will desire to commit our lives in service to Him by serving our fellow man. This commitment must be all-inclusive, without doubt, reservation or regret. Jesus told us, as recorded in John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” Additionally, John said in 1John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” And in 1John 5:10-12, John states, “He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” This is the very truth that Satan would conceal and overshadow with his sophistries. See Luke 9:43, Luke 22:69, Romans 1:16, Romans 15:17, 1Corinthians 1:18, 1Corinthians 1:23&24, 1Corinthians 2:5, 2Corinthians 6:7, 2Corinthians 13:4 and 2Timothy 1:8. Each of these texts speaks of the power of God. In Romans 1:16 we are told that the gospel of Christ is: “…the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek…” In Romans 15:17, Paul writes, “I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.” And in 1Corinthians 1:18, Paul states, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” 26

And again, in verse 23 & 24, “…we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” As can be seen, throughout Scripture is described the power of God, a power that is “unto salvation” and is a Spiritual power. But there is also another power at work on the Earth – an evil power. In Acts 26:16, Paul is commissioned by Christ, in person when He tells Paul, “…rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” Scripture constantly and consistently encourages us to change, to be molded into what God would have us be, so that we can then do what He would have us do. If we are not willing to be what He wants us to be, then He will be unable to empower us to do what He wants us to do. We cannot truly do what He wants us to do until we are being what He wants us to be. “For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself. And Ephesians 6:10-19 appeals to us, saying: “Finally, my brothers and sisters, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places [heavenly things]. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel…” And in Ephesians 2:8-22 we find this admonition: 27

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” All this love, flowing from the heart of God and recorded for us through the hand of Paul, the apostle. Accepting these truths and promises will foster hope and confidence in the Lord Jesus, the Saviour of the whole World. Satan knows that, if God can draw us to Himself and entice us to receive Christ as not only our Saviour, but also our Lord, we will choose to do God’s will, and he (Satan) will have lost the battle for that soul. In this case it is not a Sin issue, per se, but rather a battle for the will. It is a personal issue and when we speak of the battle of the will, we are again lead to consider that the real issue is: “…to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? This brings us back to disobedience and disobedience is at the root of all Sin. As we are told in Romans 5:19: “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Again, Satan knows this and it is his self-appointed duty to intercept and interrupt this process and he must intercept it early in a person’s Christian experience to insure success. He knows that if a person sees him/herself as a sinner and learns that there is a remedy for their plight, the next step is to allow the Holy Spirit to dwell inside them and begin the work of cleansing them from “all unrighteousness…” 1John 1:7-9 Once a person realizes that Christ has justified them (credited His righteousness to them and made them as though they had never sinned) their heart is turned toward Him and the process of sanctification begins – the cleansing from all unrighteousness. At each step of the way evil enmity will express itself by any number of methods, trying to keep us from submitting to God and becoming one of His. For instance, it is already in a person’s heart (carnal mind) to disobey God through unbelief. Sin has so separated us from God that, by nature, we may even come to trust His claim to have died to forgive us our sins and, thereby, justified us, but doubt arises when we consider whether He really has the power to “cleanse” us from all unrighteousness. We, through the powerful deceptions of Satan, don’t trust God’s promises to forgive us our sins, or to sanctify us and make us “white as snow.” In Isaiah 1:18 God lovingly proclaims; 28

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. 19 If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: 20 But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” Many see verse 20 as a threat, but it is meant as a warning. Because of our sinful natures, a problem arises when we realize that to be made white as snow, we must first be willing and obedient. “Willing to do what?” many ask. That’s the wrong question. The question should be, “Willing to be what?” There are many ways that this question can be answered. The answer for some might regard a willingness to be baptized, or a willingness to become a member of a church. If they are already a member of a church, perhaps they might be willing to serve a term as a church officer, such as: Head Elder or Deacon or Deaconess. This, however, is not “being” – this is still doing. When asked to serve as a church officer and after having accepted the position, they fill it admirably and with great dedication. This is often the extent of the commitment, however. The idea of living a life “hid in Christ” or actually “denying self” are often foreign except for hearing these texts read at one time or another in their life. Actually having these principles become a part of their every day life and having them “lived” out in their lives is seldom achieved. Satan fools many into thinking that because God has “saved them” they are now obligated to serve Him in “some” capacity. However, thinking that this “function” will assure them of eternal life is a result of faulty thinking and they focus in on “doing things for God” rather than being what God would have them be. For such a person the obligation to “serve” has been fulfilled and this is as much of their life that is ever really surrendered. Sin continues to reign in other areas of their life and evil enmity governs and dominates their “personal” behavior. Much of this is based in a pride-filled attitude, which is an evil offspring of enmity. People who hold themselves in high esteem usually hold others of lesser esteem. That is why the Bible caution us, “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 We are also told, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.” 1Crointhians 12:18-25 And to, “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not

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every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:1-5 There is only one way that our sinful minds can “esteem others better,” and that is if we have the mind of Christ abiding within. It always comes back to the same remedy. If total submission to Christ and His miracle working power has not been done, then the work that is performed is accomplished in our own power and avails little. Later in life we realize that, perhaps, just doing work for God is not enough, and it really is God’s desire: “…that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The choice to “be saved” is ours to make, but often, after the choice is made there is a further progress “unto sanctification.” It is similar to what Paul said in Romans 6:23 where is stated: “…the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” But many fail to read the preceding verses (17-22) where the promises of God, received in the life are to have not only an influence, but also an effect. A new life in Christ will be evidenced by a change in behavior. What is this change in behavior called? – Sanctification. “…God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Notice that the everlasting life promised by God, as an extreme expression of His great love wherewith he loves us, is the end or result of being made free from Sin and having become servants of God. The call of God is not just a call to receive His grace by “being saved.” It is also a call to service and a call to yield to His will and allow godly enmity to reign supreme, enabling us to not only overcome, but to learn to hate Sin and love God more and more each day. We must learn that “…in him we live and move and have our being...” The hopelessness of the situation is found in the fact that we are born with a carnal mind diametrically opposed to this kind of “obedience” thinking. Although it sounds redundant, we allow the evil enmity within to continue because of the evil enmity within. This, however, should not be a cause for despair. It is meant to bring us to the conclusion that we can do nothing on our own (in our own power). Even Jesus stated in John 5:30 & 31, “I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. 31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true.”

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If Jesus could do nothing “of Himself,” then for one of us to think that we can would be bordering on blasphemy – it would be like claiming that we can do something that Christ Himself could not do. The personal experience of Christians is often likened to Christ and His love for His church, as is depicted in Ephesians 5:25-27. “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” The Bible often speaks of the church is as a body and each member of the church as a member of that body. A call for the church to be sanctified and cleansed, is a call to each member to submit to the will of God, “…that He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blemish…” 2Corintians 10:3-7 reveals: “…though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” In Ephesians 6:10-13 Paul pleads; “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” There is a wrestling that goes on in the Christian’s life, that is a surety. Trials and temptations assail from all sides and, although great victories have been experienced in the past (maybe in the past few minutes), the battle goes on. Although the wrestling match is not a flesh and blood battle, it often expressed on a physical level. The battle, for the Christian, is a more mental, emotional, spiritual battle. While Satan is trying to gain control of our minds through our physical senses, God is working to gain control of our physical senses through the renewing of our mind. This is evidenced by His call to “Come, let us reason together.” It is God’s desire that we go from victory to victory, on and on, pressing upward and onward, drawing nearer and nearer to Him, becoming more Christ-like every day – every moment. Victory is experienced through submitting to God, as opposed to submitting to temptation. The victory that we are to enjoy through the power of God working in our lives is a victory of faith, for it is stated in 1John 5:4: “…whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” “The just shall life by faith.” (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11 and Hebrews 10:38) Notice that Romans 1:17 says that “the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith:” This is accomplished as our faith is exercised. As mentioned before, as our faith is exercised it is strengthened and we are, thereby, prepared for other, more intense trials, which are sure to come. If 31

we are not living from faith to faith, we are living from failure to failure and unjustified, because we are also justified by faith. (Romans 3:28, Romans 5:1, Galatians 2:16 [2], Galatians 3:11 & 24) Enmity may cause one who is approached to adopt a defensive posture and reflections of their own self-centered attitude may cause them to reject those who show love and concern. Evil enmity motivates negative thoughts and often negates both the opportunity of loving another and the possibility of one’s being loved by someone else. Oh! The sinfulness of the carnal heart, not knowing where it is bound, it hurries along the path to destruction. But there is hope! “…thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ…” Perhaps the greatest of all discussions on the subject of the workings of enmity is found in Chapter 8 of Paul’s letter to the Romans, “For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. (Romans 7:148:13 This was Paul’s Christian experience. It had its ups and downs just as ours does. All have fallen short of the glory of God, but that is not a license to sin. In this passage is found both an example of the Sin issue and the battle that rages within each of us. But notice also that Paul found a remedy for Sin – He does not say that he gave up and allowed sin to have dominion over him. Paul enjoyed a victorious Christian life, just as you and I may, if we surrender to the workings of 32

God and let His Holy Spirit lead and guide us in the way we should go. Yes, enmity is a personal experience by which each of us has been hampered. Paul realized that it was no longer him that chose to sin – he chose not to sin. He looked to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. If we are honest with ourselves, we will admit that this battle is, indeed, going on in each of us and allow God to apply the remedy.

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