“O Lord, I have so many enemies; so many are against me.”
(Psalm 3:1, NLT)

We have an enemy who seeks to not only make our lives miserable (he is much more destructive than that), but desires to keep us blind, in bondage and render us ineffective by any means possible.  Too often we think we are our own enemy and turn to self-loathing, hating ourselves for our failures, our struggles, and our sin.    But we are not the real enemy.  So we must confess these things and allow our loving Father to do His work in our lives because He has freed us from the power of sin.

Too often we think other people are the enemy.  True, they are flawed as much as we are, struggling with their own failures and sin, and often make things difficult for us.  But they are not the real enemy.  In fact, the enemy desires to keep them blind, in bondage and render them ineffective by any means possible as well.  He succeeds when we turn on one another, bickering, biting, devouring and destroying, rather than loving one another.

Scripture tells us to keep in mind who this true enemy is.
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.”  (Ephesians 6:12, NLT)

This enemy is a thief and he has an agenda.
Jesus reminds us what this enemy desires to do.
“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy.” (John 10:10a, NLT)

But Jesus has a different plan.
“My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”  (John 10:10b, NLT)

Where in your life does the enemy keep you blind to the joy and the abundant life that Jesus has for you?  Where does the enemy keep you in bondage?  What are the shackles that imprison you?  Addiction, diversion, worry, bitterness, unforgiveness?  Where in your walk with Christ does the enemy render you ineffective and defeated because of his lies?

Jesus can set you free from this things.  When He sets you free, you are truly free.

Father, open my eyes to see the life you have for me.  Make me aware of the enemy’s work in my life so I can cast off everything that hinders and slows me down and the sin that wraps itself around my feet and entangles me.  Let me run with perseverance the race you have for me, always keeping my eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.
(from Hebrews 12:1-2)