Our Greatest Enemy

[CoreIssue]

We talk about demonic and other attacks. Which are very valid.

But I am convinced that our greatest enemy is ourselves. Especially our flesh.

As Paul said, his spirit struggles to obey God but his flesh fights against him and wins way too much.

While the flesh is not a personage, but a nature, it is a powerful nature that has tremendous influence on our minds.

[eahaddix]

I wholeheartedly agree, Core. All demonic strategies rely on "hacking into" saints' fleshy nature. Like tapping a wall to find hollow spaces behind it, evil spirits study us carefully. Then, when demons find something "interesting," they launch a methodical plan to "provoke" us through our psychological vulnerabilities. This phenomenon illustrates the danger of personal unawareness.

Likewise, all human psychological attacks rely on our reactions for effect, otherwise the attacker remains powerless. This phenomenon illustrates the danger of uncontrolled social pressure in any form.

No wonder Paul and Peter teach us self-control (1 Peter 5:8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%205:8;&version=31;), 1 Peter 1:13 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Peter%201:13;&version=31;), 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%205:5-8;&version=31;), Galatians 5:22-23 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%205:22-23;&version=31;), see also 1 Corinthians 7:4-5 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%207:4-5;&version=31;), Titus 2:3-6, 11-12 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Titus%202:3-6,%2011-12;&version=31;), etc.). And self-control includes testing our own actions (Galatians 6:4 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians%206:4;&version=31;), see also 2 Corinthians 13:5-10 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Corinthians%2013:5-10;&version=31;)), plus God's will for our life (Romans 12:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans%2012:2;&version=31;)).

[CoreIssue]

Good point on the social pressure aspects.

[Flames]

I would have to agree as well. The flesh will do more damage then anything else!

[Jessie]

yep I agree!