I’ve heard it said that Christians don’t have enemies. It’s often preached around the verse

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬

Ephesians 6:12 (NASB 2020)

This passage is truth, no matter what our experiences are. There is a battle/struggle happening that our physical eyes do not see. There are agents of evil working to destroy each of our souls with the goal of alienating us from our Heavenly Father. When we find that we are being opposed, persecuted, and mocked, there are cohorts of darkness at work behind the scenes working through people. However, that does not excuse the person/people who have decided to align with evil and participate in causing struggle into someone’s life.

While our war is not against flesh, that does not mean we do not have enemies in flesh. Jesus himself told us to love our enemies. He clearly acknowledged that we have enemies, but instructed us to demonstrate who the Father is and love them. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus said,“…love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

What I love about Jesus is that He usually not only provided guidance to living an abundant life, but also provided the purpose for it. He told us that the purpose for loving our enemies and praying for those who persecute us is

“so that you may prove yourselves to be sons of your Father who is in heaven…”

To demonstrate our Father, just as Jesus lived to demonstrate God, we must love our enemies. In John 13:35 Jesus said that we would be known as His disciples by our love for one another. In 1 John 4, we see that we cannot claim to be children of God if we do not love, for our Heavenly Father is love – and those born of God love as He loves. Yes, we have enemies in this world, seen and unseen. However, we do not war against the seen. We war against the unseen.

Why? Because people have free will to choose. They can choose good or they can choose evil. Evil forces in the supernatural MUST obey those who come in Christ’s name; the victory has already been won. While we cannot control or take dominion over people because they have free will, we can take dominion over evil and dark forces because Jesus already took the keys of sin and death. Those who are in Him already have victory through and in Jesus.

The best way to handle an enemy is love and prayer. That doesn’t mean you have to be their best friend. That doesn’t mean you have to invite them over for coffee. It just means you forgive (releasing them of anything you think they owe you, which includes an apology) and you pray for them.

You don’t pray against people. You pray FOR them. You pray against the dark and evil forces that may be working against your enemy, which is praying FOR them. You don’t pray for their fall or demise. You pray for healing, restoration, and reconciliation. You pray against any pain, trauma, or lies that have impacted their lives, which is praying FOR them.

You see, yes, we have enemies. It’s just how we treat them in our hearts that is different from the ways of the world. Our battle not being against flesh, but evil powers doesn’t mean we don’t have enemies. Paul simply taught us the wise way to overcome evil and where to focus our battle. Fighting with people is a waste of time. Fighting the enemy of our soul is always guaranteed victory when you have Christ.

So, friends, let’s demonstrate Christ. Let’s love as He loves. Let’s love our enemies knowing that God causes the sun to rise and set on them too.

Have a super fantastic amazingly blessed day,