Enemies of the Believer

The world. This is thinking out of fellowship that seeks to build up self and excludes the Lord Jesus Christ. The solution is to confess sin and return to fellowship with God. 1 John 1:9; Rom. 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-16.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9, NASB)

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2, NASB)

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.” (1 John 2:15-16, NASB)

The flesh. This is the old sin nature. The solution is to pursue righteousness or return to fellowship and stay in fellowship. 1 John 1:9; 2 Tim. 2:22.

“Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22, NASB)

The Devil. The Devil promotes good in the name of good, not in the name of God. He does this through religion and legalism. This is the Angelic Conflict. The solution is to resist via the consistent intake and application of Bible doctrine. James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:7-9; Eph. 6:10-20.

“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7, NASB)

“casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.” (1 Peter 5:7-9, NASB)

Pride or arrogance. This is boasting of your achievements and praising yourself in open or subtle ways. Prov. 27:1-2.

“Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips.” (Proverbs 27:1-2, NASB)

Anger or uncontrolled temper. The “stone” in Proverbs 27:3 stands for the obvious type of anger or the punch ‘em in the nose type of explosive anger. The “sand” speaks of a subtle type of anger that expresses itself by gossip, slander, vindictiveness, and retaliation.

“A stone is heavy and the sand weighty, But the provocation of a fool is heavier than both of them.” (Proverbs 27:3, NASB)

Envy and Jealousy. This is worse than loss of temper according to this verse. Ananias and Sapphira illustrated this type of jealousy. Prov. 27:4.

“Wrath is fierce and anger is a flood, But who can stand before jealousy?” (Proverbs 27:4, NASB)

Pseudo-love. This the infatuated with Jesus crowd. They are in love with love like the puppy lovers in the spring time. They gush over Jesus and are very shallow and absolutely meaningless. These are the Glory-Hallelujah crowd. Only personal love (phileo) for God and unconditional love (agapao) for mankind are genuine. These are two floors in the edification complex of the soul. Prov. 27:5-6.

“Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:5-6, NASB)

Indifference to the Word of God. Here, the details of life are more important than anything else. Honey is a perfect illustration of Bible doctrine - get it at all costs. Prov. 27:7.

“A sated man loathes honey, But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.” (Proverbs 27:7, NASB)

A False Scale of Values. This type of believer won’t give up their social life to get the Word. They won’t go on a crash program of getting Bible doctrine. Therefore, they spend their time erecting a pseudo-edification complex. Prov. 27:8.

“Like a bird that wanders from her nest, So is a man who wanders from his home.” (Proverbs 27:8, NASB)

These enemies also are occupational hazards of so-called “Christian workers,” but all are in full time Christian service, so the above is applicable to all believers.