“Understand Your Adversary”

Adversary is defined as “one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute; synonyms include: opponent, rival, enemy, combatant, challenger, contender, competitor, opposer;” https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=adversary+definition

Basically, adversaries are your “enemies,” wish you no good and attempt to sabotage you at every turn. How can we defeat them if we don’t understand them?

Cases in Point:

Politically: I am of the opinion that this may be a weakness of our nation, when confronting foreign threats. The United States went to war in Iraq; Afghanistan and continue to face threats from Al Quada, ISIS and Boko Haram. One of the primary objectives of these terrorists is religion. If we don’t understand that their religion praises self-sacrifice for their god, i.e., suicide bombings, and find it honorable to do this, we will not be as effective in defeating them

Professionally: I have discovered adversaries in bosses, associates, colleagues and the company philosophy…period. With a background in Sales, we knew we had competitors and who they generally were. I don’t think we ever did a good job in “understanding” them. The times that we did, I felt more equipped to either embrace or walk away from business that didn’t serve us or the client well.

Health-wise: I was diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS in 2012. I must take the time to study it, understand it and respect it so that I am better equipped to defeat it. What is ironic is that MS is an auto-immune disease that is characterized by one’s own immune system turning against itself. I am reminded of the saying, “We’ve met the enemy, and it is us.”

I have also noticed that many adhere to whatever their doctor tells them, without question. I don’t necessarily believe that doctors are “overt” adversaries, but many are at the mercy of top pharmaceutical companies who don’t make money if you are healthy. You’ve got to know your body. If what you are being told seems questionable, seek a 2^nd, 3^rd, or even 4^th opinion until you can find an advocate.

Spiritually: The greatest enemy of human kind is Satan. The Bible refers to this in 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV): “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”

Also, in Ephesians 6:11-12 (NKJV):  11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Satan KNOWS who God is.  He does everything in his power to make sure we don’t. We must understand that he is clever and cunning. He will do whatever he can to keep us from the One who loves us.

Powerful Quotes:

“Fighting fire with fire” is not effective.  The Fire Department uses water.

“An eye for an eye leaves us both blind.”

We must take the time to understand our adversaries so that we will be better equipped to win…