The World
The first enemy we must defeat is the world. The Bible is our measuring stick when the world pressures us through its philosophies and vain thinking. We must seek the Word for our response. Paul warns us of this:
See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.
Colossians 2:8 NASB
The biggest danger from the world comes as the world tempts and pressures us towards the world’s ways. Deceit, rejection, alienation, and ridicule are just a few of the ways the world control believers. Our goal is love; the world’s goal is control.
As believers we are called to advance God’s kingdom purpose and to disciple people to observe everything that Jesus commanded His disciples: “teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.” (Matthew 28:20 NKJV). Jesus taught His disciples that the world will hate them:
If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.
John 15:18 NKJV
Therefore, the world will also hate us because we are His followers, His disciples. We should not expect anything different.
Jesus promised to never leave us. Our confidence is rooted in His presence as we represent His will to the enemy, to our own flesh, and to the world:
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–6 NASB).
Some people will believe on Jesus through our testimony. They will be transformed by His Spirit and become followers of Christ. They will no longer be of the world, even though they still live in it. What a privilege we have to overcome the enemy of our souls, not only for ourselves, but for the many who need to be set free from the enemy’s grip.