bef: best enemies forever
We had to give every classmate a valentine, so for the kid I couldn't stand, I chose the one that said "Rain or shine/Be my valentine." Beneath that I added, "I hope it snows." Unfortunately for my battle plans, my parents stopped me from actually giving the card, but I still remember my first enemy.
We recently watched a show where the two superheroes are in conflict with each other - each motivated by ego, by their family's wishes/demands for them, and ultimately by the fact that they are superheroes with an intrinsic desire to actually DO the superhero-ing while at odds with each other as they disagree on the how and when. For a few episodes, the superheroes were each others' enemy while the town laid in wait for rescue.
All was not lost however, because as I've seen it play out in real life and in story many times before, this conflict of sparring enemies was conquered by Act III once they figured out the two of them were not the enemy, they succeeded in living out their superhero mission. When I apply that to my life, it gives me encouragement and feeds my stubborn nature as I face enemies. Try me. Or, as my favorite cheerleader-enemies movie puts it, Bring it on.
Is This Really The Enemy?
We often make enemies out of inconveniences, imagined slights, a bruised ego, striking out at those around us out of our shame or fear a deeper secret will be found out. And, at times, the enemy can truly be someone who is actively out to trip you up, cause injury, or harm. Keeping in mind nuance, obviously there are multiple layers of what an enemy is or can do to us. Maybe we spell this one with a little "e."
Then there's all the capital E Enemy battles. In my opinion, you have to define the Ultimate capital-T Truth first. There has to be a cornerstone everything else is built off of. "And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life."(I John 5:20) Once you know the Truth, anything that goes against the character of God is the enemy.
I'm not advocating for enemies as "good," while at the same time, I can't deny I've learned from having enemies in my life. It's a sanctifying process ("Sanctify them by your truth; your word is truth." John 17:17) And we are meant to fight back.
First, we learn how to filter what amounts to a misplaced defensiveness. In my opinion, learning to properly process small slights (little "e" enemies) is done well when we call on the Holy Spirit to help us implement his gifts: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Gal. 5:22-23). And if it is against Truth - sin resulting from being in a fallen world, evil played out, injustice, hate, anything against the character of God - we call on the promise that God will make us strong, firm and steadfast to stand against. (I Peter 5:10 as Peter writes to those being actively persecuted.)
Good News! The Enemy of Death Has Been Defeated
Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so...
-John Dunne
Since God is a God of creation, newness, death is an Enemy. So what can we learn from dealing with it here on earth? When we face death - whether it's a friend, loved one, a spouse, it makes you consider: What's important here? How do we fight this? Ultimately, how do I see death as the enemy, living in the tension of knowing it's defeated while still dealing with its stupid consequences? Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil-and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. Hebrews 2:14-15 This enemy taught me about the both/and of fighting back, AND at the same time resting in leaving the ultimate battle up to a future victory. It makes me determined to face death well.
Brothers and Sisters in the Lord to Join in Battle
I've also learned from battling the Enemy, that those we are in relationship to matter. If you are a believer, then we are brother and sister in Christ. It is (should be) a relationship of support, of iron sharpening iron, of standing up in defense of. When I see someone hurt by lies, sin, others...an Enemy of the Truth, I would hope I would stand up.
I've, at times, sat silently by as I watched the sinful results play out on a brother or sister. I regret that. I'd rather like to believe - and live as though it's true! - that I would stand up for a loved one battling against sin and it's effects. Call me un-theological, but I always cheer when Peter cuts off the soldier's ear in defense of the One he loved. I understand why he should not have, and yet...
We are battling an enemy - whether internal or external - and everyone needs encouragement when the bell rings and they stumble to the corner. Whatever I can do to encourage, fight, push back against the number one Enemy in the life of someone I love, I would pray I would have the guts and stamina to do so. Let's fight for each other! Taking it further out of our zone of comfort, we are also called to encourage and fight for those we may not even know, but can see the effects of a sinful world upon them.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
-Proverbs 31:8-9
Have You Ever Tried Being Angry?
Last Christmas, the band Skillet released a version of O Come, O Come Emmanuel. Their chorus amps up into a loud, crashing yell of pain as the lyrics tell of the groaning of waiting for the promised Messiah. X and online pundits exploded with opinions of how Skillet had "ruined" the hymn. They would prefer we keep the pleasant song y'all sing half heartedly off-tune so you can leave and go get lunch.
Those who can't understand the rendition of the song could have been more loud, more angry, more tear filled, more heartbroken about what we are up against, those who prefer to cover their pain with live! love! laugh!, who plug their ears against cries of birth pains as creation waits for sin to be vanquished, don't understand the definition of THE enemy. What are you afraid of?
America's positive, encouraging Christians seem to misunderstand what it means to lament, feel pain, fight back against the Enemy. We back away from anger, sadness, negative because we've sugarcoated our walls with a false idea of spirituality and a superficial definition of being "nice." I have a friend that anytime anything negative comes up, responds with a cheery quote or two about God and thankfulness and expresses guilt for being upset. What if seeing sin's effects includes both: I'm angry at this and thank you Lord that you are with me as I move forward?
We Have Met the Enemy and He is Us
Does that seem too big? What about my internal self? My ego, my old nature, my selfish ambition that stirs up its stew of bitterness. The twinge of rejection leaving me feeling insecure in what I thought I could do. The lie the Enemy yells at me: Am I even worth it? My enemy seems insurmountable at times - no, not the Other Person, but rather: Me. Daily I strive to see the new mercies, to confess and to move forward. It is a fight.
For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do what is good is with me, but there is no ability to do it. For I do not do the good that I want to do, but I practice the evil that I do not want to do. ...For in my inner self I delight in God’s law, but I see a different law in the parts of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and taking me prisoner to the law of sin in the parts of my body. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Romans 7:18-25
Know your enemy/Enemy. Fight back. Stand for Truth. Lay aside yourself. Stand by a brother or sister. Know your motivation and the why behind your daily choices. Unlike the battling superheroes, we know who saves the city.
Not everything can be resolved through kindness, which is why angels carry swords, not flowers. - C. S. Lewis
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Recommendations on good books related to the topic:
Count of Monte Cristo Alexandre Dumas - Every choice the Count makes is driven by revenge. His beloved has been taken by another man, he will stop at nothing to fight back.
Dark Clouds, Deep Mercy: Discovering the Grace of Lament by Mark Vroegop - Faces the enemy of death, illness, tragedy and looks at lament and what it is. Points to God's grace in helping us through how to "wrestle with our sorrow."
Gilead by Marilynne Robinson - Older pastor facing the enemy of his death. Looks back over his life, at his regrets and at his faith in a book written to his young son.
Skillet's version of O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Put your money where your mouth is and give to an organizations that are in the fight against Evil:
Want to encourage? Comment, like, share. email: kelwick@gmail.com Or contribute to my book fund at Buy Me a Book
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