Who Is The Real Enemy? (Matthew 7:5)

Who is my enemy?

Military strategists, business consultants, even sports teams ask this question of themselves. Sometimes the answer is obvious. It is the business associate who reneged on their financial obligation to pay your company for the work you rendered. It is the family member who negotiated a side deal with an attorney to gain an upper hand on an inheritance. It is the employee who spreads rumors about their employer while divulging company secrets to a competitor. They are certainly not one’s friends. But enemies?

At the heart of each of these scenarios was a nagging doubt within myself that perhaps they were not wholly to blame. Was there another collaborator? Were there extenuating circumstances that could explain their behaviors? Perhaps.

The contract that was signed with the business associate was not as airtight as it should have been written and he exploited a loophole. The family member felt he was unfairly excluded from an inheritance and was seeking to preserve the financial stability of his children. The employee was disgruntled because, unknownst to me, he was putting in extra hours on his own time, but his efforts went unrecognized by the rest of the company.  Do any of these reasons justify their actions? No. But it does shed light on a common thread. I conveniently overlooked my own role, either by commission or omission, in fomenting the conflicts. Whether it was my inexperience in negotiating the contract, insensitivity to a family member’s needs, or inattention to workplace activities-I had a role and I failed to recognize this.

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Matthew 7:5 (ESV)

Who is the real enemy?

I am. My pride, my arrogance, my sins.

I need a Savior. I need Jesus Christ.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.