Christian Living

THE ENEMY WITHIN

by paul hoffmaster
02/15/21
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Recently a politician stood before the media cameras and proclaimed with self-anointed boldness that the “enemy is within.”  What that person was implying was that anyone who questioned the progressive reality of the changing political landscape was the real enemy of the Country.  To the gullibility of the news “junkies,” this was received as factual truth.  It was in fact a call to “arms” to stand against this rolling tide of adversity.  Let me use this as an analogy to what is and has been an assault on the Church from within.

In the Church today there is a two-party system.  There are the “right-wing” constituents which are made up of people who defend the Bible as their Constitution.  The Sixty-Six “articles” (Books) layout the Biblical foundation of the Kingdom of God.  The “left-wing” party members are those that challenge the wording of the Bible.  They believe that God’s actions are defined by the times.   The Bible is to be interpreted in the most relevant and up to date manner.  God said it, but what did He actually mean?  As the two-party Church strives to activate the Word, there is also a movement within the Church that is determined to make their efforts ineffective.   More and more “carnal immigrants” are infiltrating the Church with the intent to destroy the Church from within.  Jesus warned about those who would come “in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” (Matthew 7:15)  There are people today that are prophesying, casting out demons, and doing many wonders in Jesus' name, yet they are not “true” Believers.  Jesus rejected and will reject those who have used His name falsely. (Matthew 7:22, 23)  The sons of Sceva tried to cast out demons in Jesus’ name, but the evil spirit within the possessed man called them out and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?”  He then proceeded to beat up the seven brothers so badly that they left the house “naked and wounded.” (Acts 19:14-16)

The question immediately arises as to how can someone who is not a “true” Believer actually perform signs and wonders and even prophesy in Jesus’ name?  What it shows us is the power in the name of Jesus.  Jesus will allow the use of His name but will hold the person accountable that uses that name to further their own agenda.  As you search the Scriptures you will find throughout the Bible many times when God used His enemies to bring about His purpose.

Failing to recognize the enemy within our midst will hinder the fulfillment of the Church’s calling.  It is amazing how many “enemies” of the Cross are in leadership capacities within the Church.  We are so concerned with getting people into our buildings that we have adopted an open-door policy.  Satan recognizing the vulnerability of the “open-door” church has sent his people to bring division within its doors.  Look at how many churches have split, divided, and closed over the years.  How can that happen to the Church of the living God?!

Right Wing, Left Wing, Enemy Within.  It is time to stop playing “church” and start being the Church God has called us to be.  It is time to make hard and fast changes.  If we don’t, we just might see the answer to Jesus’ question, “…when the Son of man cometh, shall He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8)