Remember who the Real Enemy is!

We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)

In the second installment of the Hunger Games trilogy, “Catching Fire”, I think there is an important reminder for Christians.  In the Hunger Games’ futuristic dystopia, those in power select candidates who are forced to compete in a fight-to-the-death conflict, which is televised for a twisted form of entertainment. Before the games begin, a seasoned veteran reminds a candidate, “Don’t forget who the real enemy is!”

The candidates’ natural tendency is to view the other candidates as the enemy, since they fight each other for their own survival. It is only when they band together and remember who the real enemy is (those in power who are orchestrating the conflict), that they begin to experience real victory.

You see, this is our tendency as well. However, as we find ourselves fighting with each other, let us step back and remember that there is an intelligent, strategic, and diabolical enemy who loves to sow seeds of conflict within the body of Christ. Our own cooperating sinful nature notwithstanding (James 4:1), we have a real enemy roaming around that we dare not forget.
So next time we find ourselves in a fruitless conflict with our spouse, our children, or those in our church, let’s remember who the real enemy is! May we band together in prayer for the fruit of the Spirit in each of us…

“… in order that no advantage be taken of us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”
(2 Cor 2:11)