Dear COA Family,
A troubling incident recently took place at the Aljunied Nursing
Home. During a Holy Communion service, a resident declared
aloud that she loved the devil and wanted to follow him. I had
to intervene and stop her from continuing.
This incident reminds us of a sobering spiritual reality. Scripture
tells us that “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the
Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, where for
forty days he was tempted by the devil” (Luke 4:1).
Who, then, was the true enemy Jesus faced?
It was not the hardship of the wilderness, difficult as it was.
It was certainly not the Holy Spirit, even though He led Him there.
It was the devil, whose aim was to cause Jesus to turn away
from trusting and obeying the Father.
Very often, we misidentify our enemies.
Some see their enemies as leaders or superiors who require
difficult things of them. Others see their enemies in colleagues,
classmates or even family members who make life challenging.
Still others may, at times, see God Himself as the enemy —
especially when prayers seem unanswered or when
circumstances are painful.
This misidentification is dangerous.
The apostle Peter warns us: “Be sober-minded; be watchful.
Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion,
seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
Our true enemy is the devil, whose intent is to destroy. We are
therefore called to remain alert to his schemes and to resist
him firmly in the faith.
Why does this matter so much?
It is because when we misidentify the enemy, we begin to fight
the wrong battles. Instead of standing together, we turn against
one another. This leads to division, conflict and harm within the
body of Christ.
The apostle Paul gives a strong warning: “But if you bite and
devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by
one another” (Galatians 5:15).
Let us therefore learn from our Lord Jesus. Just as He was filled
with the Holy Spirit and stood firm against temptation, may we
also be filled with the Spirit, discerning and steadfast. Let us
stand united, resisting the true enemy, and not be led into
unnecessary conflict with one another.
God bless,
Revd Ian