Jesus said, “Love your enemies” (Matthew 5:44). But if we are called to love our enemies, how can we still fight in spiritual warfare? The answer lies in understanding who the real enemy is and how to respond in a way that honors God while resisting the devil.
1. Identifying the Real Enemy
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us:
“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.”
Our real enemy is not people. It is:
- Satan
- Fallen angels
- Demons and unclean spirits
When Jesus commanded us to love our enemies, He was talking about human beings—not the devil or demonic forces. People may hurt us, but often they are being influenced by spiritual forces they do not even realize are at work.
2. Loving the Person, Resisting the Spirit Behind Them
When someone mistreats you, pray for them. Realize that the hostility may be coming from a spirit influencing them, not from their true heart.
This means:
- You don’t attack the person, but you do confront the spirit in prayer.
- You walk in forgiveness while still taking authority over the demonic influence.
3. A Personal Example
I once worked under a supervisor who found fault with everything I did.
- When I tried to work efficiently, she said I wasn’t being submissive.
- When I followed her instructions exactly, she said I lacked initiative.
It seemed like no matter what I did, there was a problem. Eventually, I realized this was more than a personality conflict—it was a spiritual attack.
So I prayed—not against her—but against the spirit influencing her actions. I bound that influence in Jesus’ name and asked God for peace in our workplace. Soon after, our relationship improved dramatically.
4. The Biblical Approach
If we understand that the enemy is ultimately spiritual, then:
- We engage in spiritual warfare through prayer, fasting, and the Word of God.
- We show kindness to people, even when they are difficult.
- We separate the person from the spirit influencing them.
Conclusion
Loving your enemies doesn’t mean tolerating demonic attacks. It means showing compassion to people while waging war in the spirit.
When you understand this distinction, you can walk in both obedience to Christ and victory over the enemy.