Scripture

Psalm 5:8 NLT

Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.

Consider

Who is my enemy? If I believe it to be someone who injures or offends me, then my thinking is too small.

Scripture tells us we are in constant spiritual battle, and our true enemies are the rebellious spirits who have set themselves against God and all that God loves. These agents of evil conceal themselves in the dark corners of our world and prompt us to perform selfish and hateful acts against each other. They target our relationships especially because they know we are vulnerable in our need for love and connection with other people.

The psalmist writes that enemies cannot harm us when we are centered in God’s love and will for our lives. We get into trouble when we lose sight of God and stray from the good path God has set for us.

The psalmist continues in verse 9:

My enemies cannot speak a truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with flattery.

The legions of Satan are skilled at deception. Indeed, that is their favorite weapon against the children of God. When someone injures me, these spirit enemies lie and whisper to me what my wounded ego wants to hear—that I am right and others are wrong, that my resentment and desire to hit back are justified. The psalmist warns, however, that such whispers stink of death because their very breath arises from all that is hateful and alienated from our holy God. These enemies pretend to build us up, but their purpose is always to corrupt and destroy.

The psalmist describes our hope in verse 10:

O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

God has promised to be our fortress and strength against these devious spirits of darkness. We need the truth and light of God’s Word to expose and condemn them and save us from their power to hurt and deceive.

Pray

Heavenly Father, it’s difficult to see your righteous path for me when I’m feeling hurt and resentful. Help me to recognize the lies that are tempting me to see other people as the source of my pain. Open my eyes to recognize my true enemies and acknowledge my need for your strength and truth to banish them.

Reflect

Psalm 32:8; John 8:44

Ponder

What lies have tempted me to leave God’s path and escalate a conflict?