Volume 7: Stop Confusing Friends and Enemies

Stop Confusing Friends and Enemies

One of Satan’s greatest victories is not merely convincing people that he does not exist—it is convincing Christians to treat people as the enemy.

This is a Christ-less approach to spiritual warfare because it ignores the victory Christ has already won and turns our attention toward opposing people instead of resisting the devil.

Marriages are collapsing. Families are divided. Friendships are ending. Churches are splitting. Children are rebelling. Finances are under pressure. Believers are wounded. Yet instead of recognizing the real battlefield, we often declare war on one another and create boundaries where there should be intercession. Afterward, Satan quietly walks away from the battle untouched and unrecognized.

The devil has mastered the art of convincing people to blame flesh and blood for battles that are ultimately spiritual.

The apostle Paul could not have been clearer: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Paul did not deny that people hurt us. He did not deny betrayal, abuse, temptation, injustice, lies, or persecution. He simply exposed what is happening behind them. The visible conflict often has an invisible enemy.

The Author of Confusion

Satan delights in confusion because confused believers become distracted believers. Instead of confronting sin, we attack people.

Instead of resisting the devil, we resent the people God commanded us to love. Instead of praying, we become consumed by frustration. Instead of guarding our hearts, we surrender them to bitterness.

Instead of standing together against the devil, believers turn on one another while the kingdom of darkness advances. This is exactly how the enemy operates.

Jesus described Satan as “a murderer from the beginning” and “the father of lies” (John 8:44). He destroys what God creates. He corrupts what God blesses. He counterfeits what God establishes.

If God builds unity, Satan sows division. If God speaks truth, Satan whispers lies. If God gives peace, Satan manufactures fear. If God produces forgiveness, Satan cultivates offense. If God calls for holiness, Satan normalizes compromise.

His methods have never changed. In Eden, he questioned God’s Word. In Job’s life, he sought to destroy faithful obedience.

He tempted Jesus in the wilderness by twisting Scripture. He entered Judas to betray Christ. He desired to sift Peter as wheat. He filled Ananias’ heart to lie to the Holy Spirit.

From Genesis to Revelation, Satan wages war against God’s purposes by deceiving people into believing his lies.

This is why Peter warned believers, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

That does not excuse sin, nor does it remove personal responsibility. Every individual remains accountable before God for his or her own choices. But Satan exploits pride, anger, lust, greed, envy, fear, and unforgiveness wherever he finds an open door. He cannot create sin within us, but he is relentless in tempting, deceiving, accusing, and exploiting it.

This is why James did not tell believers to argue with the devil. He commanded, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Victory is never found by hating people or creating boundaries. Victory comes by submitting to Christ, standing upon His Word, putting on the whole armor of God, resisting the devil, and refusing to give him ground.

Stop confusing friends and enemies. The ancient serpent still seeks to deceive the nations, destroy families, divide the Church, discourage believers, and blind the minds of those who do not believe.

Therefore, submit yourselves to God. Stand firm in Christ. Put on the whole armor of God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

The victory has already been secured through Jesus Christ, who destroyed the works of the devil and triumphed over the powers of darkness. Keep your eyes on Him.