Who or what is the greatest enemy
we face as Christians? Some people would say apathy. Others would say
immorality in movies & TV. Still others would say it's the concept that
morality is relative & each person needs to decide for themselves what's
right and what's wrong. The list goes on and on. And really at the root of all
this is Satan, the great deceiver, who Jesus said "was a murderer from the
beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the
father of lies." (John 8:44) But even though he's devious and cunning and
knows our weak spots, is Satan really our greatest enemy? All he does is tempt
us, but he doesn't put a gun to our head and make us do anything. And we know
from James 1:13 that "God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself
tempts no one." So that leads me to conclude that for each of us, our
worst enemy is the person we see in the mirror every morning. As we travel
through life, Satan may dangle all kinds of temptations & snares in front
of us, but we're the ones driving the car, and we're the ones that decide to
deviate from God's itinerary & partake of whatever Satan is offering.
So how do we protect ourselves
against our greatest enemy, that person in the mirror? Spiritual armor is
required. Ephesians 6:13-18: "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. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on
the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on
the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the
shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the
evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which
is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and
supplication." Where do we go to get God's armor? Its components - truth,
righteousness, faith, salvation, the gospel - can only be obtained through an
understanding of God's word, the Bible. More than just a book, it is essential
to this life because it is the source of eternal life. As Jesus rebuked Satan:
“It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that
comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
