10月30日
标 题：属灵的敌人
经 节：因我们并不是与属血气的争战，乃是与那些执政的、掌权的、管辖这幽暗世界的，以及天空属灵气的恶魔争战。（以弗所书六章12节）
在战场上，认出敌人是非常重要的事。如果你不晓得攻击的方位，你很难防守自己。保罗有许多敌人。有些人厌恶他，其他一些人憎恨他，还有一些人想杀他。有些人本来该与他站在同一阵线，却想要伤害他和他的事工(使徒行传九：23；腓立比书一：17；提摩太后书一：15，四：14；提摩太前书一：20)。虽然，他面对许多迫害，保罗从未忘掉他真正的敌人。保罗小心谨慎地防御撒但。当人们攻击他的时候，他知道他们并不是自己真正的敌人，他们只是不知不觉地成为属灵黑暗势力的工具。
当你的信心遭遇敌对势力的时候，第一个反应可能是愤怒。这个反应可能使你对冲突背后更深的属灵层面，分散了注意力。你的敌手可能无助地被罪捆绑。你应该诚挚地立即为此人代祷，而不是报复此人。你对手的敌对行为是一张邀请函，邀请你加入救赎之工，把他或她由属灵的捆绑中释放出来。
要警醒注意你身边的属灵战争。这场战争是真实存在的，它可能会摧毁你及你所关心的人。认识你真正的敌人，可以保护你不致心怀苦毒及不饶恕。你的希望是根源于一个真理：[那在你里面的比那在世界上的更大。](约翰一书四：4)不要将自己的希望寄托于人性，要坚决地相信至高者已经完全击败你的仇敌。
Spiritual Enemies
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)
In
a battle, it is imperative to identify your enemy. If you are not aware of the
point of your attack, you are vulnerable. Paul had many enemies. Some resented
him, others hated him, and others wanted to kill him. Some, who were supposedly
on his side, sought to harm him and his ministry (Acts 9:23; Phil. 1:17; 2 Tim.
1:15;_1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 4:14). In spite of the persecution he faced, Paul
never lost sight of his real enemy. Paul was wary of Satan. When people
attacked him, he knew they were not his real opponents. They were simply
unwitting instruments of the spiritual forces of darkness.
When
you meet opposition to your faith, your first reaction may be anger toward your
antagonist. This may divert your attention from the deeper, spiritual
dimensions of your conflict. Your adversary may be hopelessly in to sin. Rather
than retaliating, you should immediately and earnestly intercede for that
person. Your opponent’s hostility is your invitation to become involved in
God’s redemptive work to free him or her from spiritual .
Be
alert to the spiritual warfare around you. It is real and potentially
destructive to you and those you care about. Knowing your real foe will protect
you from bitterness and unforgiveness. Your hope lies in the reality that “He
who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Do not
place your hope in humanity, but steadfastly trust in the One who has already
defeated your enemy.
