enemy

Blog for Podcast #116 (Enemies of God)

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Intro

This is Dreamwalker1960. As a reminder you can read the transcripts of all my podcasts at dreamwalker1960.com. You can use most podcast platforms if you wish to listen. All you need do is do a search for Dreamwalker1960.

Discussion

James 4:4 – Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

These people to which James was referring were not those that deny God. Those that openly sin, saying they welcome following their own lusts and desires that will lead them to damnation.

This verse was aimed at those within the church. Those that at one time professed and may actually have been grafted into the Vine that is our Lord Jesus Christ. However, now they no longer bear fruit.

Adulterers – G3432 – moichos – apostate, adulterer

  1. Apostate – someone who has given up their religion
  2. Apostasy – an act of refusing to continue to follow, obey, or recognize a religious faith

I want to key in on following and obeying. Why is that? The answer comes from Matthew:

Matthew 22:37-40 – Jesus said to him, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

When following, when obeying. We are staying true to these two commandments which come from the Old Testament. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18) This explains why verse 40 exists. It is reaffirming what Christ stated in chapter five of Matthew:

Matthew 5:17-19 – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Many that profess to being “Christian” have destroyed the laws of Moses and the teachings of the prophets. They use the excuses like for example that these laws are under the old covenant. Yet Christ says this about that mentality:

 Luke 16:16-17 – “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. 17 And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

Therefore, Jesus Christ makes it very clear that the laws that were not removed by Him going to the cross. That is making sacrifices. Are still active and true if they do not violate that second commandment.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Would you enslave yourself? The answer is no. Subsequently, slavery is against the laws of Moses. Even though they were originally in them.

But back on track.

So, following and obeying all the teachings within the Bible that pass the litmus test of Matthew 22:37-40 shows not only yourself, but the world about you that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, and so are not an enemy of God.

Yet there are those that will deny this, will argue, and complain that what was just stated is the Truth. This is the first indicator as to identifying who are the enemies of God.

1 Timothy 6:3-5 – If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

This leads us to the next clues as to who are the enemies of God. For within these verses are descriptions that leads us to the verses that are to follow:

Galatians 5:19-21 – Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

I want you the listener and reader to note an important verse that precedes these verses:

Galatians 5:18 – But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

This is a clear statement. That if we behave in the following manner:

Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

We work within the laws of Moses. Yet if we live in the sins lists that come from the flesh. Those that live this way are answerable to the laws of Moses, which affirms what Jesus Christ Himself said, that the laws are not destroyed, just fulfilled. Then those that chose to ignore the laws and do not follow or obey them can be considered enemies of God.

What other evidence is there of who are those that are the enemy of God?

1 John 2:15-16 – Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

These verses when taken in concert with the first verse we discussed today says volumes. Therefore, let us repeat it:

James 4:4 – Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

So those that seek after wealth, fancy houses, new cars. Bigger and better. They are actually enemies of God. No matter what they say their affiliation is. For their true love is their want for what will get them what they truly desire.

Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

“You will be devoted to one and despise the other.”

It is a plain statement.

If you are devoted to God, you will not desire what money gives you. You will despise luxuries. You will not seek after bigger, better fancier.

You will downsize. If you have wealth, it will be given to charities in need. To people in need.

Most will reject this. Most will scoff at this. Most will be in bewilderment and shocked.

Revelation 3:15-18 – “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! 17 You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. 18 So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see.

“You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.”

Yes, I used these verses on purpose. Does it make those that want to reject this, scoff at this and are shocked by this stop.

It should. This is not me speaking these are not my words. This is the Bible. This is God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 – All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.

It amazes me how people wish to reject the Bible just because what is being said goes against how they were raised and told their entire lives. That would imply that all they have learned and been told is a lie. That their parents, their pastor or minister had it all wrong.

If the Bible says one thing yet all you do goes to the opposite than what is the truth?

The Bible or how you have lived?

People say they are “Christian” yet reject that which goes against what they desire what they are devoted to. This causes conflict within people. For centuries they have been told that to succeed is to gain that which is within this world. However, this is opposite of that which the Bible tells us to seek after.

Matthew 6:19 -21 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Where your treasure is makes you a follower of Christ or an enemy of God. it is just that simple. It is black and white. Hot and cold. Sheep or goats. There is no middle ground. There never has been. People can’t keep chasing after both. They all must chose a side, and they must now do something about it.

Why?

Because Christ is soon to come and what follows that first appearance is something all wish to avoid, but most will not.

Why?

Because they chose to be God’s enemy instead of Christ’s follower.

God Bless

Those who love the world are not one with God

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re-post
So I was going through Facebook yesterday and one of the groups I am a member of showed a young man proposing to his boyfriend. It was done at the front of a “church” and all the people gathered there cheered.
My heart sank.
They have embraced the world and don’t even realize that they have. What does the Bible have to say about this:
1 John 2:15 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
James 4:4 – Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Anything of the world is against God. Homosexuality is a sin and so is of the world. So it is against God. Every person within the building that was once known as a “church” made it clear that they love the world and so hate God.
Romans 1:26 – For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Now you see my sorrow. This has become the common place, the ordinary, which adds to my pain. Yes my pain. For it hurts to see people thinking they are worshiping God and thinking they are one with God when they are not. They are living in a lie, a fabrication of reality. And who is the father of lies? It isn’t God. So if they are not worshiping God and they are worshiping within a lie then they are in reality worshiping Satan.
What is Satan’s fate? To be thrown into the pit of fire along with any that follow him.
How long will they be there? For all eternity.
Revelation 20: 10 – And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Isaiah 66:24 – And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

2 Timothy 4:1-5

Confessions of a screwed up middle aged man: snobs

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Occasionally I like to go for Sunday drives with my wife. We both enjoy doing them. I try my best to go the back way whenever possible so as to enjoy the scenery of God’s creation.
Usually these little outings go well. This last Sunday however did not have the usually enjoyment. It wasn’t due to either of us or the scenery about us. This day’s enjoyment decreased as we started getting into an area filled with large houses and massive acreage being used for nonproductive matters.
As we entered into this area and stayed within it for nearly an hour we encounter other drivers that did not follow the laws of the road. Not staying in their own lanes and doing things that obstructed traffic. Once we stopped at a small convenience store and as I started to turn into the parking spot the driver side door of an expensive car suddenly flung open blocking the parking spot. Nearly a minute after this a woman decided to exist this vehicle and with a haughty look, looked upon both my wife and myself with disdain since our car was not on the same par as hers. She then slowly closed the door and walked in the middle of the parking spot I wished to pull into as she headed to the same store we wished to visit.
Shortly after this within another store we decided to go into we over hear an encounter between a customer and someone in the pharmacy. Apparently the employee was inconvenienced to walk ten feet and the customer was in turn bothered to accompany the employee the same ten feet to get what she was requesting.
So we get back onto our little adventure and still encounter poor driving habits that in one instance endangered my wife and myself.
When finally free of this area of expensive houses and ritzy stores suddenly we were able to once again relax and enjoy the country side and beauty of the sunny day.
As I was able to relax once again I started reflecting on the previous hour I had just encountered and was saddened. It is amazing how the Bible is not being taught correctly to the point that people that see themselves as a higher quality of humanity than of anyone else. Yet the Bible teaches us that we are all the same.
This also reminded me how the Bible again is not being taught correctly. Many times The Bible says to love one another, but here is what many do not realize. It is not a love for all humanity, but for those that are like us that have asked Christ into our lives and seek to be a reflection of Him.
Does this say that those that call themselves “Christian” should behave as those I encountered this last weekend? No it does not. In fact the Bible encourages humility. The act of placing all others before ourselves. Yet this is not the mentality of those we encountered this last Sunday. Their mentality is that all must bow and worship them for they are wealthy with the riches of the world.
They do not realize that in reality they are to be pitied. For they have embraced the temporal rewards of this world.
Mark 10:17 – As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”
James 4:4 – You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
Matthew 6:24 – “No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.

What does an enemy of the cross look like?

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This is a question not enough people even attempt to ask let alone try and find the answer too. It is sad really.
Why is it sad though?
I will tell you. For many, more than most may ever realize have made themselves the enemy of the cross of Jesus Christ.
How can I say this? How can I be so heartless and cruel to say such a statement?
To be honest it is not out of heartlessness, but out of pure love. It is not cruel, but it is painful.
Here is how this issue is approached in the book of James
James 4:4 – You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. 5 Do you think the Scriptures have no meaning? They say that God is passionate that the spirit he has placed within us should be faithful to him. 6 And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say,
“God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.”
7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. 9 Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.
Here is another perspective:
Philippians 3: 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth.
Now let’s look at each thing that leads to being an enemy of God and His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
First and foremost, befriending the world.
Friend – philos – friendly; subst: a friend, an associate.
World – kosmos – the world, universe; worldly affairs; the inhabitants of the world; adornment
Secondly pride
Proud – proud, arrogant, disdainful.
Thirdly their appetite
In the KJV the word belly is used which is “koilia” meaning belly, womb, the inner man. Per the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament it appear that Paul, the author of Philippians was extremely angry at those that had at first turned to Christ and then turned their back upon the Savior.
What is important to state here is that those that made the dictionary could not say for sure what Paul meant when he used the word “koilia.” However for other references within the NT it is referenced to where sin come from, that being from within each and every person (Mark 7:18-23).
Fourth they “brag about shameful things”
Again in the KJV it reads as : “whose glory is in their shame”
Glory – doxa – honor, renown, glory splendor
Shame – aischune – shame, shamefacedness, shameful deeds
Personally I would translate this as: they take honor in their shameful deeds.
And lastly – “they think only about this life here on earth.”
So someone that is the enemy of the cross, which leads to damnation looks like someone that thinks only of their earthly lust and desires and takes pride in their actions no matter how crude it may be, for all they care about is their own satisfaction and of nothing nor of anyone save themselves. So those supporting this person that lives this way are themselves becoming this persons “friend” and so as is shown above in the verses of James are “make yourself an enemy of God.”

To be friends of the world is to be an enemy of God

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Now we are told within the Bible to reprove, rebuke and exhort with use of and for the Bible (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Now I say this because there are those that call themselves “Christian” and have befriended the world. A prime example is one of the Republican Party candidates that used the adage of “love the sinner hate the sin,” but also said he attended his homosexual friend’s wedding. This person has befriended the world and so has turned his back upon God.
If he truly placed God first he would have told that friend in love that pursuing this relationship to the point of marriage is a sin to God and he should seriously rethink that relationship. This is not what was done though. He has embraced the world and his friend and in so doing he has turned his back upon God.
James 4: 4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.