Tag Archives: enmity

The Well of Enmity

King Solomon is considered one of the wisest person to walk the face of the earth. People would travel throughout the Mediterranean just to hear him speak and teach. One of his statements appears multiple times in one of his books, “there is nothing new under the sun,” Ecclesiastes 1:9-18. The below passage speaks to this topic as Isaac had water disputes with his neighbors on more than one occasion.

Now Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of living [spring] water. 20 And the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, The water is ours. And he named the well Esek [contention] because they quarreled with him. 21 Then [his servants] dug another well, and they quarreled over that also; so he named it Sitnah [enmity], Genesis 26:19-21.

Due to the reality of Ephesians 6:12, this is a battle taking place every day in the spiritual realm. Enmity is the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something. Just tune into social media or the television and you’ll find words full of poison and venom. Like a debate that leads to a disagreement, tensions mount the longer this discussion continues, we all have our own well of enmity.

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. 12 For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere, Ephesians 6:10-12.

If you’re not covered with a hedge of protection via prayer, you become vulnerable to master spirits and spiritual forces of evil that exist today. You may not notice this enmity right away until an unexpected stranger says something or does something that gets under your skin. As you cope with your own wells of enmity, consider the words of 1 Peter 3:9 so that you’re open and willing to repay any evil thrown at you with a blessing.

by Jay Mankus

Constant Friction

Every day in the world friction exists.  This may take the form of an altercation, falling out or squabble.   As individuals struggle to remain in control, attitudes, egos and personalities clash.  This constant friction leaves behind a trail of alienation, enmity and strife.

And constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain, 1 Timothy 6:5.

In this age of enlightenment, minds are open to new ideologies, philosophies and teachings.  Subsequently, sometimes curious individuals seeking answers to the meaning of life will begin to cling to strange new ideas.  Desperate for logical explanations, some will even abandon former beliefs to justify or rationalize where they are spiritually.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ, Colossians 2:8.

Decisions made without thorough investigation can lead to what the apostle Paul refers to being robbed of the truth.  While visiting the city of Colossae, he realized how vulnerable young people are to being swayed by human tradition.  In view of this, before you fully develop and embrace a worldview, follow the principles of 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22.  Test everything you hear with God’s word and cling to that which is good.

by Jay Mankus