How to Get Promoted

I believe the attitude we have toward work determines our productivity, happiness, and whether or not we’ll be promoted.  A woman at my job once groaned, asking me something to the effect of, ‘Do I have to be here?’ when arriving to work one morning, and my answer was, ‘No, there are plenty of people just hoping you decide not to show up for work today.’  Judging by her response, I suppose she was disappointed I didn’t accept the invitation to her complaint session, but I didn’t want any of ‘that’ (negativity) on me.  I was trying to maintain a positive attitude toward work myself.

Whatever our jobs are, we’re to work at it with all of our hearts, as working for the Lord, not men (Col 3:23).  I often consider myself as being employed by God, as opposed to whoever might be signing my check (which isn’t to say I don’t respect them, but I know who my source is).  We’re encouraged to work diligently, coming from the Latin word dlilgere, which means to prize, love, esteem highly (1 Ti 4:15; Heb 6:11; 2 Th 3:6-15).  So in other words, our work is to be done in love, with a desire to please God being our focus.  Our attitudes toward all of our work then (whether it is considered “the Lord’s work”, in a traditional sense, or not) has spiritual implications, and can result in certain rewards (Pr 10:4; 12:24; 13:4; 21:5).

Obvious benefits to working diligently are new opportunities, or promotions.  There are so many people in the Bible who were recognized while working.  Moses was tending his father-in-law’s flock when the Lord called him from a burning bush and commissioned him for a great work (Ex 3).  Ruth was provided with protection and greater profit because of her work (Ruth 2; see also God’s intended purpose for Eve in Ge 2:18, and the description of ‘The Wife of Noble Character’ in Pr 31:10-31).  By the Lord’s direction, Jesse’s youngest boy David had to be pulled from tending the sheep in order to be anointed by Samuel, and would later be crowned king (1 Sam 16:6-13; 2 Sam 5:4; Ps 78:70).  And Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be his disciples as they were in the act of preparing and casting fishing nets (Mt 4:18-22). And so on.

But seek God’s kingdom and righteousness first, and the things will come later (Mt 6:33).  He must receive his honor first, because it’s the Lord who raises the poor and seats them with princes (Ps 113:7-8; Dan 3:30), who lifts up those who humble themselves before him (Jas 4:10), who honors those who honor him (1 Sam 2:30), who not only gives wealth and possessions, but enables a person to enjoy them, and accept their lot, and be happy with their work (Ecc 5:18-20), and it’s God who enables us to earn the respect of one who works with what they have (1 Th 4:11-12).  There’s dignity in finding work.

Guarding the Reputation of Others

I’d mentioned this a week ago, as I spoke with a few others about honest report.  It came to me that we aren’t only supposed to be concerned about our own reputations, but the reputations of others.  I believe that guarding the reputation of other people is an expression of our love for them (Mt 22:36-39). 

What are you doing to ensure the good name of those around you?  Are you even damaging their name?  We should do to others as we would have them do to us, and speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves (Lk 6:31; Pr 31:8).  We aren’t to give false testimony, or speak falsely of them (Ex 20:16; 23:1; Ps 34:13; Jas 4:11).  But caring for other’s report isn’t limited to only false statements.

Do you reveal personal or sensational reports about others, be they true or false (which by the way, is the definition of gossip.  My definition of gossip is passing on anything you wouldn’t want known about yourself. Pr 11:9 and 13)?  Will you be like Ham, who was quick to tell of his father Noah’s indiscretion, or will you be like Shem and Japheth, who made sure he wasn’t further disgraced (Gen 9:20-23; Pr 17:9)?  A gossip betrays confidence, separates close friends, and without it a quarrel dies down (Pr 11:13; 16:28; 26:20).  We aren’t to slander one another (Lev 19:16; Ps 101:5).  Instead, we should speak words of encouragement and build people up (Acts 13:15; 20:2, Eph 4:29, 31; Php 4:8; 1 Th 5:10-12; Heb 3:13).

This isn’t to say, we aren’t supposed to be truthful, but we should examine our motivations for choosing to say the things we do (Ps 37:30; Mt 12:36; 1Pt 3:10, 16).  We should ask ourselves, is this what I would want said about me?  Better yet, is this what God would have me say (1 Pt 4:11)?

Grieving God

I was just thinking about how we attempt to misuse God (and trust me when I tell you, it’s only an attempt) when we treat him like a genie, who’s only useful for granting wishes (I had a little writer’s block).  But God demands that we love him, deeply respect him, and do what he tells us to do.  Our obedience is his due, and our duty, in love (Ecc 12:13; Pr 3:6; Lk 10:27).  And when we don’t do what he tells us to, God isn’t merely angered, but saddened (Gen 6:5-6, 11-12). 

Yes, our motivation for doing God’s will should be in love.  And that includes a desire not to sadden our God who wants only the best for us (Jer 29:11).  I say this to encourage, not only you, but me as well:  Don’t grieve the Holy Spirit of God by choosing to do wrong; don’t burden him (Eph 4:30; Isa 43:24).  He will not stand for it (Heb 10:26-31).  Have enough faith in God to obey him (Ro 1:5).

God has given us the ability, in him, not to give in to the temptation to sin (1 Co 10:13).  So, let’s throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Heb 12:1).  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that we will not grow weary and loose heart.  In our struggle against sin, we’ve not yet resisted to the point of shedding our blood (Heb 12:3-4).  Jesus suffered way more than he’s asking any of us to, which should be encouragement when we’re tired and tempted to become disheartened. 

Have an appropriate relationship with God.  Give him the honor and reverence that belongs to him (Failure to do so is sinful).  Don’t grieve God by believing the lie of pride that says he’s here to serve us.  He is not a dag-on genie!        

After You've Done Everything to Stand...

Okay, it’s another day of battle soldiers, and we’ve been commanded to be strong in the Lord’s mighty power.  Our enemy has been identified as the Devil, who we are to stand against.  His tactic is schemes.  Don’t be misled by focusing on the tangible.  Human resources are not fitting for this struggle.  Our battle is not against flesh and blood.  Understand, our battle is spiritual against rulers, authorities, powers, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  We are instructed to put on the full armor of God, so that we may be able to stand our ground, and after we’ve done everything to stand, we’re told to stand some more, but it must be with God’s full armor (Eph 6:10-14):

Belt:  Make sure every piece of armor is bound with truth, as well as the loins of your mind, so that nothing is ensnared.  Without a secure belt, you will not be able to move freely, and you’re in danger of stumbling and falling (Eph 6:14; 1Pe 1:13-16 KJV) .

Breastplate:  Make sure you’re righteous, both in status and in character.  Let your righteous character be the defense of your vital organs, such as your heart (Eph 6:14; Ro 3:21-23; Pr 4:23).  Don’t be like King Ahab, who’s questionable character caused a flaw in his armor, which was pierced by an arrow, resulting in his death (1 Ki 16:30; 21; 22:31-35). Without a strong and secure breastplate, any attack can prove fatal, but with it, strikes will merely graze the armor.

Feet shod:  Walk in peace, as Christ did, promoting unity (Eph 2:14-16; 6:15).  Reconciliation to God is offered to all.  And those who accept it have the peace of mind to walk freely as one approved by God (Ro 5:1; Mt 5:9; 1 Jn 1:9).  Peace protects the soldier of God’s feet, as the legionary wore heavily reinforced sandals that were as protective, and possibly more comfortable, than today’s combat boots.  They were made with thick leather soles studded with hobnails, enabling them to have secure tread on almost any terrain.  Leather thongs could be laced calf-high, and stuffed with wool for warmth and protection.

Shield:  The large, leather-covered shield, which is your faith, is to be soaked in water and carried to extinguish fire-tipped arrows (Eph 6:16 Heb11:1, 6; Pr 26:18).  Your shield itself -if not accompanied by a will to carry it- is useless (Jas 2:17).  Although it may be heavy, it offers a great deal of protection.  Don’t put it down!  A Roman soldier’s shield was curved to deflect the full force of an attack.  In the center was a metal knob, which enabled the shield to be used as an offensive weapon, by knocking the Enemy back.

Helmet:  Salvation is to cover your head as a helmet (Eph 6:17).  God designed this gift to be received, not earned (Eph 2:8-9).  The purpose is for reconciliation to Him, for the purpose of his predestined work for you (Eph 2:10).  Bronze, on iron, on leather, absorbed shock.  A back shield protected the neck.  A front ridge protected the face.  And pieces at the cheeks protected the face and ears. (I’m sure Malchus wished he had a helmet when he came across an angry Peter [Jn 18:10].)

Sword:  Success in battle depends on skillfully wielding our sword, which is the very Word of God (Eph 6:17; 2 Tim 2:15; Heb 4:12).  Don’t worry about how you will perform.  The Holy Spirit will bring to our remembrance all that you’ve trained in (Jn 14:26).

Prayer:  And don’t forget to communicate continuously with God, who will, lead, encourage, and ensure your victory (1 Co 15:55-57).  By (praying) God’s word you have the power to speak and make the Enemy flee, the power to speak and move mountains, the power to bind and loose (Lk 4:1-13; Mt 11:23; 18:18).

We’re more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Ro 8:37).  Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ (2 Co 2:14)!  With Christ we are guaranteed victory!  So, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, and stand, then stand some more (Eph 6:10-14).  With him we are able!

                    

Because I Said So

I couldn’t stand the saying when I was a child, and the thought of it kind of irritates me even today, but as an adult I can see the benefit of not being provided with an answer every time I inquired.  It was, no doubt, a form of discipline, and I’ve seen many instances where adults obviously were not disciplined by this seemingly arbitrary response.  And I’m sure you have too.  They’re the ones that don’t last very long on the job, and make everyone miserable for the duration of their time there.  Well, likewise the Lord sees fit to discipline us, as an expression of his love for us.

There’s a word of encouragement that addresses us as children:  Do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as children.  Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his own children.  For what child is not disciplined by his parent(s)?  If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and are not truly his children.  Moreover, we have all had human parents who disciplined us and we respected them for it.  How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!  Our parent(s) disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.  No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it (Heb 12:5-11).

How thankful am I for discipline, in love, from my heavenly Father, and my earthly charges: my mother and grandmother.  How much trouble has their discipline kept me out of?  How much has their discipline given me the ability to set out goals and diligently accomplish them?  They did as they thought best, and no it didn’t seem pleasant at the time, but what a harvest their love has produced, and continues to produce.  Thank you Ma.  Thank you Grandmother.  And thank you Lord!

All My Fountains Are In You

The Lord provides for us all, but how much more when we trust in him.  As a result of his faith, Abraham came to know God as his provider after he obediently and faithfully laid his only son on an alter of sacrifice, and was supplied with a ram in a bush (Gen 22:1-13).  Abraham had earlier asserted that ‘God himself will provide the lamb’, and he was later able to confirm that the Lord would, no doubt, provide (calling him Yahweh-yireh or Jehovah-jireh in Hebrew; Gen 22: 8, 14).  Surely God has rewarded Abraham for his faith, and blessed him with (spiritual) descendants as numerous as stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore (Gen 22:17-18; Gal 3:29).  Although we may not be Father Abraham, similar blessing are available to those who trust in God.   

We need to constantly be reminded that nothing is impossible for God.  Forget the former things; don’t dwell on the past.  Watch God do a new thing (Isa 43:19-19)!  The Lord is a provider in the desert, in the wasteland.  He gives drink to his people, his chosen, the people he formed for himself that they may proclaim his praise (Isa 43:20-21)!  So, go ahead and praise him in advance having faith that he will provide for you!  (That is, if you are his own.)

God is the source, and everything else is merely a resource.  Trust in the source!  David recognized God as the source of all life by referring to him as his fountain (Ps 36:9; 87:7).  Jesus speaks about the futility of worrying, reminding us that the Lord feeds the birds that do not reap or store, dresses lilies better than Solomon ever was, and even provides for the pagan.  But we are to seek God’s kingdom first, and everything else is guaranteed to fall into place (Mt 6:25-34).   Believe, trust, hope in his sustaining and powerful word (Heb 1:3).

God Is Love

I planned on writing about another topic today, but got to thinking about what love means -considering it’s Valentine’s Day- so that’ll have to wait.  And aside from the fact that this is Valentine’s Day, I think this message is so timely.  We need to constantly be reminded of what love is, according to God’s word (so that we can also recognize what love isn’t).  Love is characterized by patience, kindness, and endurance.  It isn’t envious, boastful, arrogant, rude, selfish, irritable (Once again, God’s talking to me.), or resentful.  It doesn’t rejoice in wrongdoing, but in truth.  It bears, believes, and hopes all things. Love is endless (1 Co 13:4-8)!

The Bible tells us that God himself is love (1 Jn 4:8).  The word’ is’ is the singular form of the word ‘be’, which means to equal in meaning, or to have the same condition as.  What’s cool is as I looked this word up, the first definition sentence example in Merriam-Webster Online was <God is love>.  The two are, indeed, interchangeable.  God is love, and love is God.  So, consider that the next time you hear a flippant testimony about what love is.  Love is a crazy game?  I think not!  God is not to be trifled with.

Enough of the commentary though.  I can’t tell it better than God can anyway, so here’s one of God’s many love letters to us from the pen of John: 

‘Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  This is how God showed his love among us:  He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  This is love:  not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.  There is no fear in love.  But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.  The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

We love because he first loved us.  If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ yet hates his brother, he is a liar.  For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  And he has given us this command:  Whoever loves God must also love his brother (1 Jn 4:7-21).

With that said. 

Love y’all!

          

Never Alone

No one’s ever truly alone.  Nothing is hidden from God; everything is laid out bare for him (Heb 4:13).  We should feel secure in knowing that we have a God that’s always present (Ps 46:1).  He’s here to counsel us, comfort us, and help us cope with the difficulties of everyday life (Jn 14:25-26). 

We’re told to trust God enough to pour out our hearts to him, and encouraged to cast all of our anxiety on God because he cares for us (Ps 62:8; 1 Pe 5:7).  There’s a song called ‘Tomorrow’ by the Winans that’s often sung as an encouragement for those who are unsaved to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but recently I’ve gotten a new revelation on this message, and it’s that God truly desires a relationship with each and every one of us.  Let me pause here.  That thought is just so overwhelming.  The ‘fire insurance’ is good, and absolutely vital, but God wants a real-deal relationship with us!  He already knows us through and through, and still loves us (Ps 139)!  Now I challenge you to make that testimony about anyone else.  He wants us to truly know who he is, not just what we’ve heard about him! 

He’s told us that he will never leave us, so we should be able to say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid’ (Heb 13:5-6; Isa 54:17; Dt 31:6).  It’s unfortunate that many have chosen not to believe that these things are true (1 Ti 2:4; Tit 2:11; Heb 9:28). 

Watch Your Mouth

We all have our individual thing, but pride is something we share in common.  Just when I thought I had a reasonable amount of reign over my tongue, last week I found myself in a situation responding to provocation out of pride instead of faith.  In retrospect, it was probably best not to say anything at all, but I did, so here goes a post that should be beneficial to all.  Oh, the power of the tongue!  Let me keep this brief.

All words have power and meaning, whether spoken, written, or even thought.  After all, God formed the world from ‘mere’ words (Gen 1:1-2:3).  Surely, a Facebook status updates, Tweets, texts, etc. are seeds that will produce a harvest, either negatively or positively.  Our tongues -whether literally speaking, or symbolic of formed word- have the power of life and death (Pr 18:21).  One more time, so we’re all are clear on what God is telling us:  LIFE or DEATH!  There’s no such thing as an idle word.  They’re all potent.  And the Holy Bible is full of instruction on how we are to use, and not misuse words. 

We’re to use word wisely, so that they may bring healing, not wounds (Pr 12:18).  Our words are to be truthful, not deceitful, bringing false testimony or slander (Ps 34:13; Pr 6:19; 15:4; 22:22).  They’re to be gentle, not harsh (Pr 15:1).  (The Lord might as well have called me by name on that one!)  We are not to quarrel, but gently instruct (2 Tim 2:24-25; Pr 17:19; 20:23).  Quarrelling is often the result of pride brought on by provocation (Pr 13:10; Ecc 7:9).  Guarding our words will keep us from a whole lot of trouble (Pr 21:23)!  It’s wise to hold our tongues in many cases, because where words are many sin is not absent (Pr 10:19).  Look at the trouble we can save ourselves by deciding not to involve ourselves in certain conversations.  Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales (1 Tim 4:7).  Destruction awaits a person who even listens to lies (Pr 21:28).  Leave the controversy and gossip alone (1 Tim 1:4; 6:4; Tit 3:9; 2 Tim 2:25; Pr 11:13; 16:28; 18:8; 20:19; 26:20, 22: 2 Co 12:20)!  It only stirs up dissension (Pr 6:14, 19; 10:12; 15:18; 16:28; 28:25; 29:22; Ro 13:13; Gal 5:20).            

But consider the difference between when a wise and righteous person speaks and when a wicked fool speaks (Ps 37:30-31; Pr 10:20-21).  If there’s anything we should speak about, it’s the reason for our hope, which is in Christ Jesus (1 Pe 3:15-16).  And we are to be certain that the words we speak are from the Holy Spirit, not our own pride (Lk 12:11-12). If we boast, it should be in his greatness, not what we perceive to be our own (Jer 9:24; 1 Co 1:31; 2 Co 10:17; Gal 6:14).  If there’s anything we should focus on, it should be whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy (Php 4:8).  Our eyes should be set on the Lord (1 Co 2:2). 

Praise Him!

According to Merriam-Webster, praise is defined as an expression of approval, an act of commending, revering, glorification, and bestowing honor, or admiration.  We are all commanded to praise God, not just folks who go to church, or people who wear crosses around their necks, but everyone (Ps 117:1; 148).  And we have more than enough reason to do so (Ps 139:1-18).  It is good to praise the Lord (Ps 92:1).  We are to praise his name and give him thanks because he is good and his love is never-ending (Ps 100:4-5).  We are to tell of his acts of power, for the things he’s done (Ps 105:1-2; 150:2).  Praise is part of our sacrifice to God, and it gets results (Heb 13:15-16; Acts 16:25-34)!

We are given examples of how to praise:  with trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, dancing, strings, flute, cymbals, and with our very breath (Ps 150).  But like Jesus washed his own disciple’s feet to illustrate humility and service, I believe these were mere examples of what praise is (Jn 13:1-17).  When I look at all that was done to make the tabernacle and all that was in it, the diligence of all of the people and the attention to detail that was taken (Ex 25:1-28:30); and I compare that with the gifts of the spirit that God has taken the care to give each of us, and the consideration he’ taken to form us individually, I’m convinced that he’s made us to express ourselves differently, and likewise, praise him differently (Ps 139:1-18; 1 Co 12:1-11). 

Unfortunately, people have hindered what is possible or even conceivable in praise (and other aspects of service) for the sake of adhering to religious tradition.  The danger in that is that it nullifies the word of God in the lives of those who are taught to value religion over worshipping God in spirit and in truth (Jn 4:23-24).  Christ called people who took this approach to service hypocrites, and said, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:  ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men’” (Mt 15:1-9).  And if that’s not bad enough, some folks even go so far as to make judgments on whether or not the praise of others is acceptable (Ro 14:4; Mt 7:1-2; 1 Th 5:19)!  

In no way am I suggesting a lax approach to praising God, but what I am saying is there’s no limit to praise!  Can a man who’s deaf, dumb, blind, or lame praise God?  Certainly!  (Ps 150:6)

            

Nevermind How It Looks

All throughout the Bible there are stories of how God showed himself strong in the lives of people who chose to trust in him, regardless as to how things looked.  And if we are to have any real, definite, supernatural victories in our lives, we have to follow suit.  We’re encouraged not to throw away our confidence because it will be richly rewarded.  We need to persevere so that when we have done the will of God, we’ll receive what he’s promised (Heb 10:35-36).  We’re told that the righteous will live by faith (Heb 10:38).  And faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen.  And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him (Heb 11:1; 6).  With God, you have what you don’t see, and it’s eternal, and what you do see is temporary (2 Co 4:18; 5:7).  We have to keep in mind that we see in part (1 Co 14:12). 

Abraham was blessed with innumerable descendants after trusting that God’s way was best.  When he obeyed God’s command to sacrifice his only son, he was provided a ram instead (Gen 22:1-19).  Here’s a man that waited his whole life to have an heir, and it looked as though God was taking back what he’d blessed him with.  And as a result of him trusting in God, Abraham not only kept his son, but also gained a countless amount of (spiritual) heirs to bear his name!  God doesn’t just do it; he overdoes it! 

It looked as though the things God had showed Joseph in his dreams wouldn’t come to pass after his brothers had sold him into slavery, but they did (Gen 37-42).  Joshua, a mill worker, became a military hero after following God’s direction.  With the power of God, he and a handful of men defeated the mighty army of Jericho by basically yelling at them (Joshua 1-6).  By faith, a shepherd boy, armed with nothing but a staff, sling and the name of the Almighty God, defeated an army, to include a giant (1 Sam 17:1-58, which is my three-year-old niece’s favorite Bible story, no doubt).  Job was restored twice the amount he’d originally had after trusting in God during his test (Job 42:10).  Satan said, ‘He will surely curse you to your face’, but Job’s response to all of this was, ‘Though God slay me, I will still hope in him’ (Job 1:11; 13:15).  Throughout his test Job testified that God was faithful and just, and if there was any fault at all, it was his own.  He knew who his God was, and stood on it!  It looked as though Mary had fooled around on Joseph, but God sent the angel Gabriel to put both Mary and Joseph at ease, and they were blessed with the responsibility of raising God’s very own son, by following the word that the angel spoke to them (Mt 1:18-25). 

And it appeared as though Christ was defeated on Cavalry, but in fact, he’s the victor, and so are we through him (Mt 27:32-28:20; Ro 5:1)!       

         

Enemies of God

Make no mistake about it.  Whether we acknowledge it or not, we are all in spiritual warfare, and it is absolutely crucial to make sure we are on the right side, the side that’s guaranteed victory (Eph 6:12; 1 Co 15:54-58; Ro 8:37)!  So, consider the following a checklist to make sure you are on the right side.  And if you aren’t, fix it!  We don’t have long y’all (Mal 4).

The Bible describes enemies of God in more ways than one.  Jesus said -in no uncertain terms, “He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters” (Lk 11:23).  He said, that those who don’t accept him and hold on to the truth, belong to their father, the devil, and desire to carry out his will.  Jesus said, people who don’t believe me, don’t understand the language of truth because they’re accustomed to their father’s native tongue, which is lies (Jn 8:42-47).  (But thank God for our ability to be born again to him [Jn 3:5; Ro 10:9-10]!)  Those who make a habit of bringing up accusations against others are characterized by their father, the Accuser, who is Satan (Rev 12:10).  People who deliberately sin –that is, practice sin- are called enemies of God (Heb 10:26-27).  People who love money are enemies of God (Mt 6:24).  Those who haven’t been reconciled to God, through Christ, are enemies of God (Ro 5:9-11). 

Enemies are also characterized by certain behavior.  They seek to devour (1 Pe 5:8).  They are deceitful and flattering (Pr 27:6).  They pervert truth by calling what is good evil, and what is evil good (Is 5:20).  They plot evil, stir up dissension, gossip, slander,

make insinuations, and so on (Pr 16:27-30; Mt 5:14-15).  And not to stir anything up myself, but the enemy may be closer than you think (Mic 7:6; Mt 10:32-33, 36-39).  Just sayin’.

And those who are against God’s people are, no doubt, enemies of God as well (Jn 15:13-15; Mt 10:40-42; Ro 8:31).  But we have been given divine instruction on how to deal with them (Mt 5:44-45; Lk 6:27, 35; Pr 25:21).  It’s God himself who will handle our enemies (Ro 12:19; Is 59:18).  We have nothing to worry about, as long as we’re on the winning side (Pr 16:7).