Remember

A few days ago I saw something on Facebook that reminded me of the Hunger Games.  That's a little odd, since I may be one of the few people on the planet who has never seen a Hunger Games movie.  Nor have I read any of the Hunger Games books.  Even so, I am aware, because someone shared it with me, of a line from one of the movies.  And I haven't been able to stop thinking about that line.

"Remember who the real enemy is."

I haven't seen the movies or read the books, yet I recognize that as a powerful line.   Powerful because it has an application far beyond the scope of a book or a movie.

I have no idea how that line relates to the plot of the book/film.  Even so, it's good advice, isn't it?  Especially for those of us who call ourselves Christian. 

"Remember who the real enemy is."

"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."  (Ephesians 6:12 ESV)

"Remember who the real enemy is."

It isn't your spouse or your children.  It isn't your employer. 

It isn't your fellow church members.  Or the members from the church down the street.

It isn't politicians, even though there may be many of them with whom you have very strong disagreements.

It isn't the stock market. 

It isn't your neighbor. 

Or your coworker. 

Or the person whose skin color is different from yours. 

Or the bully down the street.

Or the one next door.

Or the one in the news.

"Remember who the real enemy is."

"Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour."  (1 Peter 5:8 ESV)

How do we win the battle?

By remembering who the real enemy is. 

By resisting him.

"Resist the devil and he will flee from you."  James 4:7 ESV

By being dressed and ready for battle.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil......Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."  (Ephesians 6:10-13 ESV)


"Remember who the real enemy is."

Remember. 

And stand firm.