(Yes, Virginia, we have enemies!)

Why We Have Them

Proverbs 29:27 “. . . and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.”

John 15:18-21 “. . . because . . . I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

16:1-3 “. . . whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. . . .”

Romans 11:28 “As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes. . . .” (Think about it.)

Galatians 4:16 “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” (The answer is always obvious.)

A Survey of the Enemy

Psalm 38:19-20 “. . . mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.”

(Matthew 10:28-31 “. . . fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. . . .”)

(10:16 “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents. . . .”)

(Hebrews 13:6 “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”)

Psalm 41:5-7 “Mine enemies speak evil of me. . . . All that hate me whisper together against me. . . .”

(Matthew 5:11-12 “Blessed are ye, when men . . . shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”)

Psalm 56:2,5 “Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.”

(2nd Peter 3:13-16 “. . . which they . . . wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.”)

Psalm 62:3-4 “. . . they delight in lies: they bless with their mouth, but they curse inwardly.” (Where is our blessing?)

(Romans 15:29 “. . . when I come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.”)

Psalm 64:1-4 “. . . the wicked . . . whet their tongue like a sword . . . to shoot their arrows, even bitter words. . . .”

(vs. 7-10 “But God shall shoot at them with an arrow. . . .”)

71:10-11 “. . . they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together, Saying, God hath forsaken him. . . .”

86:14 “O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul. . . .”

Proverbs 4:16-17 “For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and . . . unless they cause some to fall.”

6:12-19 “A naughty person, a wicked man . . . soweth discord among brethren.”

Micah 2:1-3 “Woe to them . . . they covet . . . houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man. . . .” (the Fed)

John 8:42-47 “He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”

Acts 23:12-15 [There is a conspiracy and the priests are in on it!]

2nd Corinthians 12:11-20 “For I fear, lest when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not . . . [enemies].” (and worse, enemies WITHIN THE CHURCH!)

1st John 3:10-14 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil. . . . He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.”

Our Attitude toward the Enemy

Proverbs 24:1 “Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them.”

vs. 17-20 “Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth . . . .”

Matthew 5:43-48 “. . . Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you. . . .”