Your Enemy - Part Two

A couple of days ago, I blogged than we have an enemy (Satan) who hates us and wants to destroy us. 1Peter 5:8 We looked briefly that Satan has plans for our destruction. 2 Cor 2:11 Eph. 6:11 And last we saw that to defeat our enemy we must know him. Do not think I am glorifying Satan but he is an powerful adversary. 

Allow me to give you some brief facts about Satan and next blog we will begin to learn some of his tacticts:

• Satan is powerful but not ALL-Powerful. His power is limited. Each time Satan wanted to test Job, He had to go to God and get permission. And God, being the Supreme Power, gave permission but also limited him how far he could go.
• Satan is NOT everywhere. Only God is Omni-present. Satan is a created being and as such he is limited in where he can go. Though he does have demons everywhere.
• Satan is real. He is not an influence or a force. He is evil personified.
• Though Satan is powerful and we cannot face him in our own strength, we do not have to fear him. 1 John 4:4 tells "...the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world."
• Satan cannot read your mind and know your thoughts. However, he does know human nature and has had thousands of year to study us. He knows which "buttons" to push in your life but he doesn't know what you are thinking.

Your Enemy

Most of us would like to think that most people like us. Some of us will go to extremes to make sure people like us. But we all know it is impossible to be liked by everyone. We often forget that we are citizens of two worlds. Phil. 3:20 We must not forget that "We are not human beings on a spiritual journey but we spiritual beings on a human journey." {Steve Covey} As spiritual beings, we must we aware that there is an enemy that not only dislikes you but is committed to your destruction.  1 Peter 5:8 Of course, I am referring to Satan.

One of my favorite television shows is Criminal Minds. Each week a team of FBI profilers tries to solve crimes by "profiling" the perpetrator. The dictionary defines a profilers as  "someone with psychologial training who assists police investigations by identifying likely characteristis of the the perpetrator of a particulare crime."

By now, you are probably asking yourself "Where is he going with line of thought?" [Glad you asked!] Two thousand years ago a Chinese military expert wrote The Art of War. "Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster." Good advice.

The Apostle Paul wrote "So that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes" 2 Cor. 2:11 In the next few blogs, I want us to be 'familar' whith his evil schemes. 

How To Treat People - Lesson Four

Fourth Important Lesson. - The obstacle in Our Path.

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway.  Then he hid himself and watched to see if
anyone would remove the huge rock.  Some of the King's' wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by
and simply walked around it..  Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did
Anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of  vegetables.  Upon approaching the boulder, the
peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.  After much pushing
and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had
been.

The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the
person who removed the boulder from the roadway.  The peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

How To Treat People - Part One

Lesson # 1 about the way we treat people --
 First Important Lesson - Cleaning Lady.

During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student
and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:"What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?"Surely this was some kind of joke.

I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50's, but how would I know her name?I handed in my paper, leaving the last question Blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade."Absolutely, " said the professor.

"In your careers, you will meet many people.  All are significant.. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say "hello.."

I've never forgotten that lesson... I also learned her name was Dorothy.

(The above story is not from my personal experience.)