Prison Ministries

Read 1 Peter 5:5-11, Psalm 73
Our Worst Enemy

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12

“I wouldn’t wish this even on my worst enemy” is a familiar saying to many. “He’s his own worst enemy” is a much more common and much truer statement.

When we think of enemies, we automatically start thinking about people we have been or are in conflict with, people who have harmed or offended us in some way, or people who we perceive to be evil. During war, the enemy is the soldiers and forces of the opposing country or faction.

When St. Paul speaks of “principalities and powers of darkness” and “spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places,” he is pointing out that there are demons under the control of satan who are out to defeat Christ’s church and to turn us away from Him and back to sin.

When we think of enemies, we need to think of the enemies lurking within us that are always a very real and present danger. Our own flesh, the world, and satan are at work to bring us down to the depths of depression, defeat, and despair so that we might be tempted to “curse God and die.”

To refuse to acknowledge and believe in the existence of these enemies is a sure recipe for disaster. The pride of the flesh has caused more people to fall short of the salvation and love of God than anything. Pride always has and always will lead to a fall.

Pride will keep us from acknowledging that we need a Savior. It will keep us from admitting our sins and from forgiving others. It will lead to adopting the idolatry of the world in worshipping self, money, fame, applause, and pleasure. It is most often the devil’s weapon of choice against us.

Father, help me to recognize my greatest enemy, and to claim You as my sure defense. . In Jesus’ name, Amen