Know Your Enemy–Who is NOT Your Enemy!

The battle is raging. You feel the enemy closing in. You can feel his breath on your neck. But, you don’t SEE the enemy. You look all about. You feel his presence, but you cannot see him anywhere.

How do you fight?
How do you take on an enemy that you cannot even see?
How do you take guard against an unseen enemy?

Elizabeth Awes from Becoming a Prayer Warrior writes, “The key to victory in both natural and spiritual warfare is clearly identifying the enemy and to understand his character and methods (tactics).”

You must know your enemy! But, how? That is what our next few lessons are going to be about. I think this will help you as you step up as a good soldier to fight the good fight. Today, we will look at who your enemy IS NOT.

Is not…

Right. I cannot tell you how many letters come into our office, how many emails come into my inbox, and how many times I have personally heard people share about their battles in life yet name their enemy by names like GOD, their spouse, their child, their mother-in-law, their father-in-law, their preacher, their best friend, on and on. Got someone popping into your head?

Sweet friends, today, I want for you to learn the most important lesson that you will ever learn about spiritual warfare:

How to know who is NOT your enemy!

Vital! Essential! Life-changing!

Spiritual warfare is so much like a matador fighting a bull. The bull could easily, easily “take” the matador. The bull is exponentially larger and heavier and better equipped to fight that fight. However, the matador has a “strategy” that brings him victory over this huge, strong, massive beast. It makes for a great study. But, today, just think of the “strategy of distraction and confusion.” Distraction and confusion are the matador’s key strategy against the bull. Distraction and confusion to the point that the bull gets tired, weary, and succumbs to defeat. Ever thought about that? Stop and think for a moment.

You are probably like me. The first thing you think of is the red clothe. While that is not the only thing that wears down this great big beast, it is a huge part of the “battle.” Yes, you must know that the poor animal is studied very indepth. The bull fight is certainly not haphazard. It is very skillful. It is very planned out. The bullfighter “plays” for victory, often victory to the death of the bull.

You have probably seen the show, or bits of it. The matador steps out in his gorgeous clothing. Wikipedia describes him as “both an artist and athlete, possessing great agility, grace, and coordination.” He is patient. He even knows exactly the direction that the bull will charge from (because he has studied that bull intensely). He knows just what it takes to wear the bull down. He knows exactly how to defeat the bull.

The most interesting strategy that I see is his red clothe. He holds out his red clothe. This magnificent beast charges it over and over. Each charge, wearing itself down and missing the real enemy. The bull’s focus is upon the distraction. The bull’s focus is upon the clothe, not the real enemy. The bull could “take the enemy” immediately with one good, hard blow…IF the bull KNEW his real enemy!

We have a REAL enemy!

Sweet friends, we have an enemy who is even more cunning. He studies us. He knows our typical mode of attack. He knows what will distract us. He knows what will confuse us. He will do anything to keep us distracted, keep us worn down, to hit us where we least expect it, and to work on us until we THINK we are defeated. (You HAVE read the previous lessons haven’t you? If not, stop and dig into those–they have very important material that you need to know! You are not ever defeated. You are always victorious. You are MORE THAN A CONQUEROR! That is who you are. The enemy just wants to wear you down and distract you from truth. He wants to wear down your joy. He wants to wear down your strength. You MUST know who you are. Then, you can stand against the wiles–ways, devices, manners, and strategies–of the enemy).

We must KNOW our enemy.

Turn to Ephesians 6: 10-12 (the whole passage is amazing!)…

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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.

Look at this passage in The Amplified Bible:

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

God gives us EVERYTHING we need to fight the good fight. He gives us all we need to be successful and victorious. But, note here, he is specific about who our enemy is, regardless of the attack.

• When you are hit with your money, Satan is the thief hitting you.
• When your health is attacked, Satan is the one busy at work.
• When your emotions are attacked, Satanis the real culprit.
• When you are dealing with personal problems with people, your enemy is not the flesh and blood that you are SEEING (the red clothe), rather your enemy is Satan!

Dear friend, Satan KNOWS YOU! He has studied you. He knows your tactics and natural tendencies. That is why he hits YOU where it hurts you. Just look at the stab. Look at the direction it comes from. It comes from a very real enemy who is hitting at whatever means the most to you or whatever gives you strength to fight the good fight.

Can I ask you today to think back over the last few battles that you have faced spiritually? Maybe you are in a huge battle today, let’s look at it close.

Is there a distraction? A red clothe?

GOOD SOLDIER, YOU MUST KNOW YOUR ENEMY TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!

Is your real enemy distracting you? Let’s get personal…

You made a commitment this year to take back ground in your finances. Your goal was to get out of debt. Your spouse has even committed to help you reach this impossible looking goal. You have a vision. You have even gotten busy working hard to get out of debt. Then, what happens?

• Red flag! Your car breaks! You attack that one!
• Red flag! The kids get a mysterious fever! You charge that direction and swat at that one!
• Red flag! The paycheck is less than you expected and an extra bill comes in! You charge that direction, but you are thinking as you run to swat at that one, “Why is God doing this to me????”

BINGO! Stop there!

GOD IS NOT YOUR ENEMY! He begins in Genesis and ends in Revelation telling us of His great plans to bless you and I. THAT IS HIS HEART.

Sweet friend, God cannot do evil to you. He is holy. He cannot do ANY EVIL. He cannot even behold evil!

You may say that God created all things, so he created evil. Hold there for a moment. This is the very thought that 2 Corinthians 10 tells us MUST BE cast down or the enemy will use it to set up a stronghold that will take you captive. Turn there real quick:

2 Corinthians 10: 3-6 (The Amplified Bible)
For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete.

This thought that pops into our minds is an accusation against God from Satan. It is not truth about God. Where in Scripture does it say that GOD will zap you when you obey Him? That is not truth. God is a loving, holy, patient, loving-kind FATHER. Your earthly father may zap you and “test” you when you obey, but that is not the character of God. God HELPS you. God DELIVERS you. God brings you through. He only asks for obedience.

When these things happen, you need to be clear on what is happening. You need to know TRUTH so you can be a mighty warrior. You cannot be a mighty warrior if you don’t even know your enemy, your team, or what is even going on!

A while back I was experiencing tremendous spiritual attack on my ministry. It was on every hand. We were doing a big, big thing and the enemy was coming against me and my ministry with big, big blows. I was getting tired and weary, wondering if I had really heard God, wondering if I was doing something wrong–NOTE: these thoughts are SURE SIGNS that the enemy is hitting you. God is not mysterious. God does not keep your “sins” a secret until you “figure things out.” God is straight-forward. You know even before you do things that you should or should not do things! No secrets! God is clear. You cannot ever say that you do not KNOW whether you should or should not do things. None of us is with that excuse! NO ONE! (Romans 1-2…well, the whole book of Romans!) All throughout the Bible, He told people “Go and sin no more” or he told them specifically what to get rid of in their lives or homes. He doesn’t give you problems to HINT at your sinfulness. He leads straightforward. He leads clearly. He leads gentle. Anything else comes from the enemy.

Back to my story…

I had a crazy dream one night during that time. I have had only a few dreams like this in my life. This one was completely prophetic.

I dreamed that I was hosting a conference in my home (I was hosting an online conference at that time). I dreamed that all my dear friends were coming in (they were!). As we were sharing with them, visiting with them, and teaching them, there was a snarling, tricky devil going around putting shackles on their feet. I saw what he was doing, yet as soon as I could set a friend free, he was working fast to get the shackles back on them. Of course, THEY had to LET HIM do it. I was working hard. Yet, he was wearing me down.

I had two lessons there:

1. For me…this battle was not for Cindy. This battle was for God. I would get too tired doing this one myself. I needed GOD “setting a perimeter” and building a hedge around us so we could learn from God without an attack from the enemy. And…that is exactly what I did. We had one of the most successful events ever!

2. For others…this is EXACTLY how the enemy comes in and tries to work among us. Scripture even tells us that when the sower sows the seed, the enemy gets busy trying to steal the seed and keep it from being planted deep (so it can affect change) or growing. The devil loves to come into our midst– whether that is in our churches, seminars, friendships, and families–to take captives. He does not want for us to help one another. He will do everything that he can to destroy. These are his tactics! This part was for the event AND for our ministry every since that time. Now, this part of the dream is for you.

We must know the enemy and his tactics and weapons. Otherwise, we will easily be taken captive or kept captive.

One of his key tactics is to confuse us about WHO GOD IS and WHAT GOD DOES. If he can do this, he can shackle us and keep us from living a victorious life. I had another dream regarding this. Maybe it was reading too many books on Special Forces or thinking too much about spiritual warfare, but this is a good one!

I dreamed of the POW in the enemy camp. I dreamed about our “terrorist” (the devil) and how he operates. Do you know that he is not even as keen as those who take prisoners of war? He can’t be. He can’t keep us because God has already paid the ransom price for us TO BE FREE! Christians don’t have to be captive. They can get up at any time and walk out of the enemy camp–in any area of captivity: salvation, relationships, finances, health, past mistakes, depression, on and on. But, the picture God gave me in my dream is of Christians who have a key, yet sit in the middle of the “enemy camp” powerless and wondering why God doesn’t take them out, when He is holding their hand, tugging at them to come and follow Him. They won’t use the key that is in their hand to get free. They won’t get up and walk out of the enemy’s camp. There is nothing keeping them there–BUT, THEMSELVES! There aren’t even walls holding them in, because God has knocked all of them down. They just won’t walk out. Sure some try, but if they do, the enemy sees them get up and tries to push them back down, they just sit back down. God still keeps on holding on to them and trying to get them to get up and move, but they won’t. Even when they get moving and when they feel the enemy in pursuit (like the Pharoah with Moses), they get scared and stop OR they want to quit and go back.

Are you seeing the application of this dream? I woke up and immediately knew that this is how so many of us stay captive and lose the fights that are already OURS. This is exactly how we remain captive in spite of who we are–victors, more than conquerors, mighty warriors!

Sweet friend, we need to KNOW that God wants us out of captivity. He wants mighty warriors! He does not want us to sit in the enemy camp powerless, weak, or weary. He wants for us to bust out of the enemy camp and take others with us! BUT! We must know who the real enemy is. We must TRUST GOD and follow Him out of the enemy camp.

Of course, the enemy will throw out lies about the Lord. Of course, he wants to confuse you about who is hitting you. He loves NOTHING MORE than when God’s mighty warriors turn on their Great Commander (Seen how he has worked in our country during the Vietnam War and this current war to disrespect our President and military leadership by questioning their “reasons” for battling???? We should NEVER speak against God’s anointed ones–when we do, we are probably promoting the evil one’s agendas!!). The enemy wants for us to think that God has called us to an impossible task or left us alone or got us into something that we don’t want to be involved in. Again, go back to the very first lesson if you missed it OR if this is a struggle with you still—You have an enemy who will hit you whether you are a Christian or not…whether you are busy for God or not…whether you are doing the right thing or the wrong thing or anything in between. 🙂 KNOW THAT! Now, know that you have an enemy who has a stategy to defeat you, no matter WHO YOU ARE!

The enemy’s number one strategy: YOUR MIND!

My friend, the enemy throws out darts, grenades, and shots in the form of THOUGHTS. He delights in hitting you where you think you cannot defend yourself. Of course, remember God has given us ALL we need to live in victory. He has given us “armor” and “weapons” that can not only fortify us from attack, but they can also defeat the enemy instantly. BUT, we must KNOW OUR ENEMY! We must use our weapons. We cannot use our weapons unless we take time to get to know what they are and how they work and who they work on.

Sound confusing? Well, one of your primary weapons that you need if you are going to live a victorious life is your Bible. No, not to hit people upside the head with it. No, not to hold up as your banner when you will not even open it and do what it says YOURSELF.

Want to fight the good fight? Well, you have to use your weapon. It is not to be hung in a “gun rack” or to sit on a shelf. It is TO BE USED!

You have a very real enemy. You will need to use this weapon DAILY. You have to be armed for battle every day or you are like the bull, you will lose your focus and hit your “distractions” instead of your real enemy. Satan loves this! He wants for you to “use the Word” improperly. His goal is that you will use your weapon in “friendly fire” against those in your own fox-hole, those on your side. He doesn’t care if you get in the Word as long as you know only enough to get you in trouble.

A good soldier has to KNOW THEIR ENEMY! Otherwise, there are casualties of war that are devastating. Nothing can be more devastating than wounding your own brother or sister. Not just in numbers, but in morale!

The enemy KNOWS this. That is why the enemy loves to confuse us. He loves for us to “take shots” at our “team” because we are most effective at taking out our own team ourselves. Ever done it? I think we all have. We all have suffered from distraction. We might pick up the “Word” only to shoot it out at those who are on our team. Yes, Satan wants us confused so we will throw the Word at God accusing HIM of being the problem. We know just enough Bible to throw it at Him as though He has failed us. Watch it! This is the enemy’s strategy! God is not the only one we will wield our weapons against–Yes, we will throw the Word at our spouse accusing our spouse of getting us in a bigger and bigger mess. We will even accuse our children of being the problem. That is EXACTLY what the enemy wants. The enemy is holding them out as the “red clothe” before us. He LOVES for us to attack them instead of him. He wants to wear us down so he can lure us into the pit of destruction. And, he is crafty at doing that.

The Bible is your key!

The Bible is a mighty weapon. It gives us what we need to fight the good fight. The only problem is that we cannot ever fight the good fight if we won’t open the Bible, read it, soak it in, and live it. We cannot be satisfied to dig in and be filled only at church. That is not enough to fight the good fight. In fact, how many of us go to church and find the battle wages even greater on Sunday afternoon? HELLO! The Bible tells us that just as soon as the “good seed” (God’s Word is a seed that can bring a great harvest in and through you) is planted, the enemy comes to steal it and keep it from growing.

The enemy knows the power in the Word of God:

• The Word of God gives us strategy–we learn the ways and wiles of the enemy and God’s plan for our victory.
• The Word of God gives us strength–try eating it daily as your manna and you will get full, strong, and mighty!
• The Word of God is a weapon–we can stand on the Word and the enemy has to flee. He is afraid of the Word. Remember, he is an angel. Angels MUST do what the Word says. Satan is in utter rebellion. He FLEES when we speak the Word. We can speak our threats or self-affirmations all day long, yet it is only the Word of God that makes him tremble and flee!
• The Word of God is our personal tool–we can use it to “test out” every word that comes into our mind. Peek again at 2 Corinthians 10: 3-6 (The Amplified Bible)

For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One),Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission and obedience [as a church] are fully secured and complete.

Want victory? This passage has a key! We must take every thought captive. Every thought must be compared to Scripture line-by-line, word-by-word. The enemy loves to put a little truth into his lies. We must take everything we hear, think, and believe and match it up to the Word of God. Let me take a few things and show you the difference:

“Every time I move forward, EVERYTHING hits me!” Well, sweet friend, regardless of whether you are moving forward or sitting still, the enemy is still after you. He does not change his ways. You can’t be a “good girl” or “good boy” and stay away from the enemy. Scripture says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” (1 Peter 5: 8-9) It does not say that the enemy is looking for bad guys to devour. He is looking for WHOM he can devour. Sitting still and “behaving” is not doing what God is telling you to do. The enemy can find you much, much easier when you are setting up camp. Get on the move! You will be a harder target to hit!

• “I try, but my _____ (husband…wife….children…mother… father…ADD YOUR NAME) does/did ______.” Our hindrances are not because of those we love. Our hindrances are because we are not living out what God says for us to do and be. We are only responsible for OUR ACTIONS, OUR BELIEFS, OURDECISIONS. God never, ever tells us to do something without providing all we need to do it. There is never a temptation or struggle the exempts us from doing what is right. In fact, you have probably heard 1 Corinthians 10:13 all your life, “No temptation has overtaken you that is unusual for human beings. But God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. Instead, along with the temptation he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to endure it.” No copping out. No blaming others. The enemy brings temptations. It is one of his tactics. But, God has already provided all you need for success. If you have a temptation, test, or struggle, you have a way out of it. God will show you the way out, so you can endure the “hand-to-hand” combat with the enemy!

• “I try, but God just hits me when I do anything!” I hope we have destroyed this speculation. If not, this is the very thing that you need to purpose to learn in the Word this year. You need to KNOW what God thinks about you and what He wants for you and your life. You need to get to know His character and His ways. God does not slap around on you or hit you over the head. He is a loving Father. He disciplines, but that word does not mean “abuses” us. Look at the definition for that Word:

1. To instruct or educate; to inform the mind; to prepare by instructing in correct principles and habits; as, to discipline youth for a profession, or for future usefulness.

2. To instruct and govern; to teach rules and practice, and accustom to order and subordination; as, to discipline troops or an army.

3. To correct; to chastise; to punish.

4. To execute the laws of the church on offenders, with a view to bring them to repentance and reformation of life.

5. To advance and prepare by instruction.

Our Heavenly Father is clear about what He wants for us to do. He comes alongside of us teaching us and showing us what to do. He does not hit us or knock us around. In fact, even when He punishes us for sins (NOTE: FOR SINS, NOT FOR DOING WHAT HE SAYS!), He does so with love, grace, mercy, lovingkindness. ANY OTHER “hits” are not from God, they are from the enemy. Again, if this is a struggle for you, study throughout Scripture for Who God is, what He does, what He wants for you. Remember, the enemy wants to resurrect a stronghold–a high-place–where he keeps you from moving forward. You will never move forward if you cannot trust God. He knows that. He will hit you in this area.

Are you seeing the enemy more clearly?

Beloved, today, stop and think over this lesson. Go back over it again a few times until it clears up any confusion or distractions from the enemy.

Your enemy is not God!
Your enemy is not your spouse!
Your enemy is not your mother!
Your enemy is not your father!
Your enemy is not your child!
Your enemy is not your sibling!
Your enemy is not your friend!
Your enemy is not your fellow Christian!
Your enemy is not flesh and blood!

“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.”

More next lesson!

Past Lessons in this Series:

What Every Good Soldier Should Know…
Know Your Authority
Know What is Yours