I have often wondered how Jesus looked down with eyes of love on the crowds calling for His death. I am amazed at how Stephen became the first Christian martyr while he asked God to forgive those hurling large rocks at him. Before he became king, David wrote Psalms asking for God to avenge him against his enemies. King Saul had sworn to kill David because he feared the young man would take his throne. Meanwhile, David continued to show favor to King Saul even though the prophet Samuel had already anointed him king over Israel. David cried when he heard that Saul had been killed in battle. Why would he pray for his destruction one minute and then mourn for him the next?
These men understood something about the nature of the real enemy. It can be easy to mistake the person we are angry with as the enemy. But they are not. We see someone treating us bad, making fun of us, taking something that belongs to us, yelling at us, etc., and we see them as the problem.
The real enemy is hidden, acting behind the curtain. The real enemy is full of hatred with no room for compassion. The real enemy would rather you not even know that they exist. Who is this enemy?
The apostle Paul wrote, "For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12 - New Living Translation).
The real enemy is the evil lie that has worked its way into the mind of the person that we see as the enemy. This lie has probably been put there and reinforced by evil spirits and rulers. Does this sound too farfetched? How many times have you all of a sudden had a bad thought about someone and you wondered, “Where did that thought come from?” You knew it was not true. But somehow the thought keeps coming back. Suddenly, more ideas flood your mind to reinforce it. These thoughts must come from somewhere. Is it more reassuring to think that they come from you or wicked spirits that roam the earth seeking to bring harm to mankind?
I believe very strongly that we wrestle against a work of darkness that many people do not believe exists. It doesn't matter if you believe in the devil or not. Because he believes in you and roams the earth seeking to devour any who will be his prey. Satan consumes people in his vast web of lies and accusations. And he has a lot of capable assistants that help him in his enterprise.
The existence of a hidden enemy does not excuse mankind of his responsibility for sin and wicked behavior. We are free to do whatever we want. But denying the existence of evil spirits and rulers does not free you from their power. Only the power of God through Jesus Christ can do that.
Now when people treat me with contempt or do something bad, I stop and consider the real enemy that is at work. I ask, "What is the evil spirit behind the situation?" What is the lie that has seized control of the person? This makes it easier for me to pray for the people who I naturally feel are my enemies. And praying for them is what I am commanded to do by the example and words of Jesus Christ.
