I’ve been writing on the theme of strife in Proverbs. It’s wise to avoid it whenever possible. But when that’s not possible, we must recognize its complexities. This enables us to overcome our enemies by dying, because “when a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him” (Prov 16:7).
For Real?
But is that for real? Is it possible to achieve peace? Is it possible to please the Lord?
Well, it’s not a magic formula, such that if you plug in certain inputs you are guaranteed an immediate output of peace. Often that peace is a long time in coming, and it comes through much sweat and pain.
But the Lord can do it.
And If you wish to have peace with your enemies, you’ll never get there by shouting, defending, attacking, or taking revenge. You can’t earn true peace by winning the argument. And you can’t win true peace by letting the enemy steamroll you. Such peace is only God’s to grant when a person’s ways please him.
So the big question is: What does it take to please him? What must God’s people do in order for God to grant them victory over their enemies?
Look at Christ
The best thing we can do is look at our Lord Jesus Christ to see how he did it, because, make no mistake: He certainly triumphed over his enemies.
He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.
Colossians 2:15
Jesus conquered all the demonic spiritual powers who declared war on him. He put them to shame and triumphed over them.
But what was his tactic? How did he do it? The two verses immediately prior to this explain it.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.
Colossians 2:13-14
We were Jesus’ enemies. We were dead in our sins. And if you pledge your allegiance to him, it shows that he made you alive by forgiving all your trespasses. Every vile thought, and every rebellious word we spoke—all of it was forgiven, having been nailed to the cross along with Jesus.
And his death was his greatest triumph.
1 Corinthians says that if the demonic powers of the world knew what was happening, they never would have crucified him (1 Cor 2:8), because they thought they were cutting off his work once and for all.
But in reality, his death was his victory. The cross was his throne.
So Jesus makes the spiritually dead come to life, and he defeats the supernatural powers by giving his life so we could be forgiven. This. This is what empowers our obedience to God’s call of wisdom, because the call of wisdom is a call to come and die with Jesus.
Not to defend your rights or set the record straight. Not to win the argument or get your way. But to die to your self-interest for the good of others. These are the Bible’s marching orders for God’s people when they are surrounded by enemies.
Because in dying, we transmit life. By pursuing peace, we win the war. By laying down our arms, we disarm those who attack us.
This is the only way we could ever waive our rights, ask questions when we want to explain ourselves, persuade with truth, when it would feel better to just win, or confess to our own wrongdoing, when the other person’s wrongdoing seems so much bigger and clearer.
The Christian’s Fight
So in the end, Christians see their enemies the way the Lord Jesus saw us: Not as vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, but as needy sinners awaiting redemption. That shift in perspective will empower you to do something they’d never expect.
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink, for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
Proverbs 25:21-22
If you try to win the fight, you will lose. But if you are willing to die to your own interests, if you waive your rights, ask questions instead of making demands, speak compelling truth, make authentic confession whenever appropriate, and in all things seek only to please the Lord—
You will overcome your enemies, and the Lord will reward you for it.
Interesting article with some clear lines of practical application.
I would be interested to hear what manner of ‘enemy’ you have in mind.
Is this a personal enemy, perhaps someone slandering one’s reputation?
What about a physical enemy – perhaps a violent family member, or a burglar breaking into your home?
Then, how would this counsel on how Christians should view their enemies apply ‘nationally’ – e.g. how should a Christian Ukrainian view their Russian enemies seeking to take forcefully take over their country?
Thanks. Trying to figure out the scope of applicability/generality of the article’s approach to ‘enemies’.🙂
Thanks for asking. I defined what sort of situations the Proverbs are referring to as “strife” in the opening paragraphs of the first post on the topic.
https://www.knowableword.com/2023/03/24/the-wisdom-of-avoiding-strife/
I missed that.
Let me check it out 🙂
No doubt it will clarify.
Thanks for your reply.
I was desperately looking for knowledge on how Jesus overcame his enemies. I knew he did on the cross, but I needed it in a “practical” way as well to understand. Thank you as this helped me and also the Avoiding Strife article as well.