Feb 12 Devotion: Your Own Worst Enemy

2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

         I have heard it said that there were times during conflicts of war that soldiers were not sure who the enemy was. Sometimes, it might be a child that had been given a weapon or was dressed in an explosive device. It could be someone that had infiltrated the ranks that appeared to be an ally but was in fact a spy or an assassin. Sometimes, it is hard to detect who is for you and who is against you because of the deception of the enemy. The above verse describes an enemy that is also hard to detect. This enemy is defined as “themselves”.

         To “oppose” is to take the position of an enemy; one that stands in opposition. This verse describes someone who is their own worst enemy. It is important to realize how this could be true. They “oppose themselves” by not having a proper relationship with Jesus Christ. The lost are automatically away from God and the saved can walk at a guilty distance from him. Both positions are in a precarious condition because to be away from God is the worst possible place to be. They may not acknowledge this and do not see anything wrong, but they are fighting against themselves when they are away from God. Their pride has convinced them that everything is okay, but it is not.

         How can you help someone who is opposed to themselves? The verse tells us that we are to instruct them. That means to give them the biblical truth that can be used to open their eyes to their adversarial condition. (It is important to realize that you cannot change them. Only God can.) Our responsibility is to give them the truth, and we must speak this “truth in love”. (Ephesians 4:15) Our position should not be one of condemnation but of spiritual compassion. “In meekness” we are to help them by giving them the truth. We are to act in faith, trusting God to do a work in them. If we will do our part of instructing, (giving the truth) then it may be (perhaps is a synonym for “peradventure”) God will grant them repentance, which aligns them with God. They must acknowledge the truth, but we must be a purveyor of that truth to them. We need someone to tell us when we are wrong, and we need to help someone else when they are wrong.

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  

In Christ's Service,

Bro. Adrian Moore

2 Cor. 4:5