Read: 2 Samuel 2:17-23
It
is possible to be on the other side of a conflict, belief or opinion –
wholeheartedly disagree and not be threatened or hostile. It is all a matter of how we define the word
“enemy” and choose to respond. One of the words translated “enemy” in the Old
Testament is ‘oyeb. It simply means
“to be in conflict.” Someone for some reason chooses to be in conflict
with someone else, whether an individual, a nation or God. The thing about this word and its use
throughout Scripture is that in every case choice is involved.
Unfortunately,
we cannot keep others from making us their enemy – from choosing to be in
conflict with us. There will always be other people who have differing ideas,
opinions, beliefs and perspective that put us in conflict. However, we always have a choice in how we
respond. Our response must align with Christ-like love and grace. Read Matthew 5:43-48 and Romans12:16-21. It isn’t about caring less about the
issue, but caring more about the other person.
Asahel lost perspective. He was so caught up in the intensity of his
pursuit that even when Abner warned him that he would only make things worse,
Asahel would not, could not, back off. The momentum propelled Asahel right into
it the back of Abner’s spear. (This was
not like running into the back of a shovel. Ancient spears have been found that
had prongs on the butt end, so the spear could be planted in the ground
upright.) In a gruesome death, Abner’s spear went right through Asahel. Athletic, best of the best, Asahel! Killed by
his refusing to give up on his pursuit. Not
only did Asahel die, but David’s kingdom lost an incredible asset and the
possibility of peace was pushed far into the future.
It is so easy to get caught up in the motion and emotion of a
situation. The momentum of the whole
thing takes over. The propelling voice
in our head says, “You can’t back down now. … You need to finish what you
started. … If you stop now, they win. … You will look weak. …” It becomes about power and image. Mostly, it becomes about self. Ironically, the lack of control is about
control! In this, and most cases, it is
definitely not a pursuit of peace or for peace, which should be our priority.
Read 1 Corinthians 7:15b, Romans 12:18 and Hebrews 12:14. According to the dictionary the very
definition of peace is “freedom or cessation of conflict.”
It is so easy to be like Asahel.
We can become so relentless in pursuing our “enemy,” overpower them and
show them who is right, stronger, smarter, wiser, godlier, that we run right
into them to our detriment and the negative impact to the Kingdom of God. They ride away and we are the bloody mess
left lying on the ground. Don’t dare
wave the martyr flag, because, the truth is, we bear the consequences of our
own prideful persistence. Stubbornness continues to kill. The casualties
include relationships, our testimony of Christ’s loving grace, as well as
future opportunities.
Making
It Personal
What does being an enemy of someone or something mean to you?
Can you be in conflict with someone and not feel the compelling
need to be hostile or vengeful?
According to James 4:1-10, what is the root cause for conflict?
Read Isaiah 63:10. What
does it mean to you that: when you choose willfulness over willingness, it puts
you in conflict with God and a battle between you and Him results? Can you
recall a time when willfulness put you in conflict with God?
Read Exodus 23:22. What
does it mean to you that when you choose willingness over willfulness and it
results in conflict between you and others (especially Satan, a name that means
“adversary”), the Lord will be in conflict with those who choose to be in
conflict with you? How does this change
your perspective on the situation and people involved?
Even when God is in conflict with us, how will He always respond?
How must you respond when others choose to be in conflict with
you?
