Identify The Enemy

Before I can do anything with the enemy I must identify him as the enemy. It is impossible to win if I don't know who I am fighting.

On December 7th, 1941, at Pearl Harbour, a radar operator picked up 353 bleeps on a small radar screen and reported it to a young lieutenant who was in command at the time. He ignored the warning, assuming that they were our planes, and the enemy came in like a flood unchallenged and caught a relaxed group of men who were easy prey.

If you ignore the enemy he won't go away. That's why so many people go to hell. They ignore death and eternity but it won't go away. "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:7) The ultimate in statistics is that one out of every one dies. To be oblivious of the enemy is a fatal mistake.

"Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour." (I Peter 5:8). To be sober is to operate by reason and principle rather than operating in passion or emotion. To be watchful is to be vigilant to discover and avoid danger. The devil is described as your adversary, implying the personal nature of his attacks. You are the object. He is also described as a roaring lion. The lion is the king of the jungle. He is a stalker. To fail to be sober and watchful will result in you being devoured. I asked an old soldier who had fought in three different conflicts how to stay alive in battle. He said, "Never assume you are safe. If you relax and lose your concentration you will die." Salvation should not be ignored! We must put on the whole armour of God.