Your Real Worst Enemy Is Closer Than You Think!

Is Satan your only enemy? No. Overcoming does not limit itself to simply victory over the devil. Our “enemy” goes beyond the demonic to include SIN and SELF. All things contrary to Christ and His Life can ultimately be placed at the feet of SIN, SATAN or SELF.
Sin and Satan are obvious enemies. But have you considered SELF? More than Sin, or even Satan, Self is our most dangerous enemy. It leads to a Defensive-Unteachable spirit. Are you prideful, argumentative, stubborn, full of head knowledge, arrogant, unapproachable, egotistical, superior, quick to be an “expert” and rebuke others with haughtiness? If so, than your spirit man is not right with God and you will only bear spoiled fruit.
Pride is our primary sin coupled with idolatry before we are born again. We are dead in sins and trespasses (Ephesians 2:1) and this necessarily produces selfishness. We make life all  about US and OUR views and our GREATNESS!!! Then Christ comes along and we discover that no actually – we are in fact really awful “Prima Donna’s”. This then is usually a discovery that is learned more and more soberly over time as we get whipped by the rod of God’s correction. A defensive heart does not submit, it rules over itself, it holds onto its life (John 12:25) and will not die to self. Not at all a Christlike demeanor.
There is a proverb (12:1) that says:

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid.”

Correction plainly means we have not been left to ourselves, and not wanting to take it is to exchange the truth of God for a lie, because we claim to be wise. It is a form of idolatry – of self-exaltation, of self worship. He who humbles himself will be exalted, and he who exalts himself will be humbled (Luke 14:11). A mighty God humbling us is a painful thing, and it often comes in the form of correction, and sometimes even embarrassment. However down the line, there is tremendous growth in it. We should be grateful for correction, it is out of love, especially when it comes from the fellow brethren. It’s not always Satan…a lot of times it just You working against yourself. Allow yourself to be free…free from that spirit of victimization.  Everybody isn’t out to “get” you.

“Lord we humbly come to you today to ask that you forgive us for our prideful sinful nature. We only serve ourselves when we allow pride to lead us hindering our spiritual walk with you. We ask that you help us overcome this and make us better students of your Word. And as we open our Bible, please reveal to us the truth in your perfect Word and give us a deeper understanding of the Word. Grant us spiritual wisdom to better serve you and lead us in your righteous path. In Jesus holy name we ask.”