The Enemy Within
Joe R. Price

Some of the devil’s most effective servants are found in the church itself. The elders of the Ephesian church were warned by the apostle of men who would rise up from among themselves and speak perverse things, corrupting themselves and drawing away disciples after them (Acts 20:30). Paul warned of enemies within the church.

It is not easy to see oneself as a problem in the church. Yet, we cannot ignore this could be the case. We cannot refuse to consider that we ourselves are potential enemies of the cross of Christ (Phil. 3:18). Jude warned of hidden reefs in our love feasts, of brethren who appear faithful while only serving themselves (Jude 12, 4). Does this describe us?

The prospect of spiritual enemies in the local church demands our vigilant faith to discern the dangers posed, to help warn and restore those endangering themselves and others, and in order to avoid becoming an enemy ourselves.

The unconverted Christian is an enemy within. This is the Christian who is content with mediocrity, with their own spiritual immaturity and a ‘live and let live’ attitude that is offended when sin and error is identified and rebuked. This Christian is not concerned about refusing fellowship with error, concluding that “all sin,” and “everyone thinks something that is wrong.” Absolute truth is not this Christian’s touchstone (Jno. 17:17; 18:38). Convenience, comfort and personal preference are given priority over faithful conviction grounded in God’s word (Col. 2:6-7). The unconverted Christian spreads discouragement and doubt among the church. This enemy has left his first love. The remedy is to “remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (Rev. 2:5). Transforming our heart protects us from being this enemy within (Rom. 12:2).

The worldly-minded Christian is an enemy within. Thinking like the world leads to living like the world (Matt. 12:34-35). Christians are worldly-minded when they are “mindful of the things of men” instead of the things of God (Matt. 16:23). Those who “set their minds on worldly things” are “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Phil. 3:18-19). We must take a good, long look at where our mind spends its time. Is our mind sent on ruminating over worldly motives, goals and activities? Or, is our mind set “on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col 3:2)? Worldly-thinking Christians set stumbling blocks before their brethren, encouraging them to put doing Christ’s will behind and after doing what pleases themselves. The remedy is to “cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7:1). Reestablish godly priorities in your life, living for God first and always (Matt. 6:33).

The self-righteous Christian is an enemy within. These hold a form of godliness, but deny its power by trusting in themselves instead of God (2 Tim. 3:5; Lk. 18:9). This enemy infects the body of Christ with conceit, while hindering compassionate empathy that helps each other overcome trials and sin to do God’s will (Rom. 12:15-16; Gal. 6:1-3). The remedy is a contrite heart and faith that is counted for righteousness (Jas. 4:6-10; Rom. 4:5). The humble heart, not the self-righteous one, shows and receives mercy (Matt. 5:7).