Spiritual warfare, enemies in

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Christians are at war with the world, the flesh and the devil. Satan empowers the world to attack believers externally, persecuting, deceiving and seducing them. Internally, sinfulness frustrates the efforts of believers to serve God fully.

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The world is an enemy

Jas 4:4 “world” here refers to the sinful human race, hostile to the truth and to the people of God.

See also Ro 12:2; 1 Jn 2:15–17; 1 Jn 5:4

The world hates Christians

John 15:19–20 KJV 1900

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

See also Mt 5:10–12; Jn 16:2; Jn 17:14; 1 Pe 4:12–16; 1 Jn 3:13; Re 13:7 The beast may represent the world’s antichristian persecution.

The world has its own false teaching and religion

Colossians 2:8 KJV 1900

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

See also 1 Ti 4:1; 2 Ti 4:3–4; 1 Jn 4:1; 2 Jn 7–11; Jud 3–4; Re 13:11; Re 19:20 This beast is thought to represent antichristian religion.

The world seeks to seduce Christians

1 John 2:16 KJV 1900

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

See also Lk 12:15; Lk 12:19; 2 Ti 4:10; Tt 2:12; Heb 11:24–25; Re 17:1–5 Babylon may represent the world’s seduction.

Sinful human nature is an enemy

Ga 5:17; 1 Pe 2:11

See also Ro 6:12; Ro 7:14–23; Ro 8:13; Ga 5:24; Col 3:5; Heb 12:4; Jas 4:1

The devil is an enemy

1 Peter 5:8 KJV 1900

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

See also Mt 13:39; Jn 17:15; 2 Th 3:3; Re 2:10; Re 12:17

He seeks to tempt Christians

1 Thessalonians 3:5 KJV 1900

For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.

He seeks to deceive

2 Co 11:3; Re 12:9

See also Ge 3:13; 2 Co 2:11; 2 Co 4:4; 2 Co 11:4; Re 20:3

He constantly seeks to accuse believers

Revelation 12:10 KJV 1900

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.