The world today seems increasingly to be divided into warring camps – based on religion, nationality, gender, liberalism, conservatism, and many other isms. Each is these is occupied with hurling insults, slanders and hatred – if not grenades and bombs – at the others. There seems to be little desire for peace and reconciliation among the warring factions, much less a realistic chance of achieving these. But if you are overwhelmed by the flood of vitriol that fills the news today, take heart. There is hope for the future.

That hope is based on recognizing who the real enemy is. It is not the people on the other side of the fence that divides us. In fact, it is not people at all. Our enemy is much more pervasive and powerful than that. He harbors a deep-seated hatred for all of mankind and seeks to destroy us by dividing and conquering us. The Bible says of him:

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8 NIV

And he is not alone. He has a host of spiritual beings in league with him, all of them bent on our destruction. Because of this, the Bible instructs us to:

” … be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV

Powerful as they are, the spiritual forces of evil are no match for us if we are in fellowship with God, because

“the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world.” 1 John 4:4 (MSG)

So we are guaranteed the victory, not just for ourselves and our little group, but for all mankind, if we recognize who the real enemy is, stop fighting one another, and come together against him and his minions, relying on the power of Holy Spirit within us.

Rejoice, brothers and sisters, the war may not be over yet, but the battle is already won.