(Psa 18:3) I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
During World War II, the United States fought against two enemies at one time. During the lifetime of a Christian, he will fight against three major enemies of his soul. The devil, the world, and the flesh.
THE DEVIL’s job is to rob, kill, and to destroy us (John 10:10). At times he is tricky and tries to slither in like a snake to deceive us (Gen 3:1). At other times he tries an all out frontal attack like a lion (1 Pet 5:8). Jesus took care of him on the cross (Col 2:15) so I’m grateful for the promise: “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world”. (1 Pet 5:9)
The next enemy that tries to defeat us is THE WORLD. Everyday we have to go out into the world and fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim 6:12). There are temptations abounding because the whole world is under the sway of Satan (1 John 5:19). There are things in the world that the Word of God encourages me not to love: The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. But this enemy is also defeated in Jesus’ name and we have the blessed promise: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”. (1 John 4:4).
And last but not least is the third enemy I face constantly, and that is THE FLESH. My old sinful nature is still hanging around but I am to consider it dead and to be unresponsive to it. I am not to feed it, but to turn to God instead and let Him be my master instead of my appetites. I have no power over the flesh except through the cross of Jesus Christ whereby it is crucified and rendered inoperative. I am now alive to God through Jesus Christ and have the power to live a life that is pleasing to God (Rom 6; Gal 5:24). Good news . . . the old me died with Christ. Thank the Lord for the reality of this promise: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Gal 2:20)
Hallelujah, what a Savior! Through Jesus Christ . . . I WIN!
Louie