Chapter 5

Enmity Against the Truth

Even though God's people would make any sacrifice to save the souls of those who would cause them
harm or even death, they are scorned and derided by those same individuals as the offscouring of the Earth.
The same kind of enmity was shown against Jesus at the cross, and He forewarned us in John 15:17-25;
“These things I command you, that ye love one another. 18 If the world hate [has enmity
against] you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world
would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world,
therefore the world hateth you. 20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not
greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my
saying, they will keep yours also. 21 But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake,
because they know not him that sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not
had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. 23 He that hateth me hateth my Father also. 24 If I
had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have
they both seen and hated both me and my Father. 25 But this cometh to pass, that the word might be
fulfilled that is written in their law, They hated me without a cause.”
And in 1John 4:19 - 5:3;
“We love him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he
is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath
not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother
also. 1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him
that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. 1 By this we know that we love the children of
God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep
his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
1Corinthians 4.13;
“Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all
things unto this day.”
While the desire to lead souls to Christ and the Truth of Scripture concerning Him, burns within them,
God's people are regarded as foolish and viewed in comparison to those who have no life at all, when, in
fact, the opposite is true. God's people choose to obey His Word and allow the principles of His Word to
govern their lives from within their hearts and minds. Because the world, in general, views Christianity as a
myth, Christ's followers are thought to be deceived concerning what's "real." Compared to the seemingly
humdrum life of the Christian, the carnal minded are convinced that their way of life is "more fulfilling and
more adventurous." Not only do they deny God the opportunity to love them as He so desires, but rather,
curse the very ones that might have enlightened them concerning the great love that He longs to bestow.
The evil enmity that is within them wars against the godly enmity within God's people, and in most cases,
until the last generation, the two just remain separate. (See Chapter 12, titled “Satan’s Enmity Against the
Last Generation”) There are, however situations that arise where it seems that the only remedy for the
feelings of distrust, unbelief and hatred is to act out in an effort to silence the voice/truth of God, flowing
from/through His people.
Of course, as we discussed in an earlier chapter, this can be viewed at many levels: enmity between two
people; two families or two groups of people representing opposing causes (not necessarily religious). It can
be manifested between two companies or organizations, or between two countries. We are not discussing a
normal territorial dispute, here. It is a Cosmic, Heavenly conflict, of which we speak. This dispute will
culminate on a global level on planet Earth, but it is even larger than that. This is a conflict that began in
heaven under the watchful eye of the Godhead. This war has been raging for more than 6000 years (in Bible
reckoning), and even though the whole plan of salvation has been revealed1 and Christ has assured mankind
of salvation through His atoning blood, it has been repeatedly denied by the majority of mankind. While
Christ is pleading on behalf of fallen man and gathering a spiritual army, Satan is gathering to himself a

1
See "Biblical Mysteries Revealed" by the same author of this volume.
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mighty carnal army, promising most that they will be recorded in the annals of Earthly history as heroes…
and well they might be, but they will not be recorded in the book of life, nor in the annals of eternity.
The Word of God will ultimately triumph and Truth marches on. Nonetheless, Satan knows that he has
but a short time and is diligent in his effort to destroy God's creation, especially His new creations. (1Peter
5:6-10) He is not only "seeking whom he may devour," he is also out to burn, discredit, or in any way
possible, obscure the Truth of God found in His Holy Word. Any means that can be devised, he will
employ toward making the Word of God of none effect.
This is not new news, nor is it alarming. What is alarming is to find in Scripture that God has foretold
of a "falling away" in regard to his church and that "grievous wolves would enter in, not sparing the flock."
And then, to discover that some of Satan's greatest agents of destruction are working from within and that
"many false Christs shall arise and deceive many" and even, "if possible," the very elect would be deceived.
(Matthew 24:24 & Mark 13:22) Satan will attack God's people at every level, to which they allow him
access. Please remember that it is a matter of deception, not necessarily intended choice. There are
instances in Scripture that tell that the deceptions are very convincing. As a matter of fact, we are told in
John 16:2 that:
"…yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And
these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me."
It's awfully plain: People, claiming to be followers of Christ, are going to kill God's true people,
thinking that they are doing God service. Now that…is alarming! The enmity expressed against God's
people near the end will be a level of enmity in its fullest expression since Christ's death on the cross.
There are alarming manifestations of this prophetic utterance recorded throughout history. It is not only
yet to come in the form of "a time of trouble such as never was, nor ever will be again, but has already
happened numerous times in history. A short study of the Spanish (and other) Inquisition(s), the famous (or
infamous) Crusades, or the slaughtering of the Waldenses, Albigenses and Huguenots whose disciples, in
the days of the Reformation, were put to death with horrible forms of torture, reveal the true nature of their
opponents. A small amount of knowledge on these subjects reveals atrocities that have been directed toward
the people of God many times, since the days of Christ's original disciples. Those who think it is not
possible for things such as this to happen again or that God doesn't know what He is talking about are
deceived. Paul says in 2Timothy 3:12;
"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers
shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."
Or when Jesus says in Luke 21:10;
"…Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes
shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there
be from heaven. 12 But before all these, they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you,
delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my
name's sake. 13 And it shall turn to you for a testimony."
As stated before, Satan will stop at nothing to make of none effect the Word of God and the Truth
contained therein. Within the pages of God's Holy Bible are contained both warnings about Satan and his
devices and the wonderful plan of redemption that appeals to every man, woman and child. Satan cannot
allow the truth to be discovered about him and his hatred of God and the great love with which He loves us.
The Word of God is the only means available to mankind that can fortify the mind and prepare God's people
to withstand the fiery darts of the wicked and the means by which the heart is transformed and turned more
and more toward God. This is also why Satan exhibits such contempt for the Bible and that which is
contained in its pages. He has attempted, since its inception, to destroy it physically. And, though he met
with seeming success in some places and at some times in the past, ultimately he has failed. The Scriptures
are more abundant today (especially in the U.S.A.) than at any time in past history.
So, he has instituted another plan: Flood the world with Bibles in numerous, confusing translations and
paraphrased versions, and teach false interpretations of prophecy from the pulpit to further confuse the issue.
Then, appoint a few "good/godly" men to debate the correctness of the various interpretations until the
majority of the world is weary of hearing about "it." By "it," is meant the Bible…when, in fact, it is not the
Bible they have become tired of hearing about, but the endless prattle and the obvious ignorance of the

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prattlers. Being ignorant of the Bible themselves, they ascribe the confusion to a faulty Bible (or faulty
God), while the real culprit is in the pulpit, in the guise of a godly man; grievous wolves that have entered
in…not sparing the flock.
In Satan's struggle to depreciate the claims of the truthfulness of Scripture or foster doubt regarding the
inspiration of the Word of God through confusion, he is often successful. It is not because of a
mental/intellectual inability to grasp the concepts and principles of God, but rather, the majority of minds in
the world are carnal, and therefore against God. These difficulties are not so much with the Bible or the false
Christs or faulty preaching, but rather, that their carnal minds are simply carnal. The requirements of God's
word are too strict for their unsanctified natures that are controlled by the evil enmity within. "The carnal
mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." If the feelings of
the natural heart are not restrained and brought into subjection by the sanctifying influence of the grace of
God, received through the channel of faith, the thoughts of the heart cannot be and will never be pure and
holy. The conditions of salvation brought to view in the word of God are reasonable, plain, and positive, but
nothing less than perfect conformity to the will of God and purity of heart and life will do.
We must listen, hear and do when God says;
"… reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus
Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the
lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but
yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments
of righteousness unto God." Romans 6:11 & 13
Requirements such as this, of course, are what the worldly, carnal mind cannot accept. These thoughts
are “too spiritual” or “too demanding” is the claim . As we are told in 1Corinthians 2:12-14;
"Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might
know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words
which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with
spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
True Christians choose to confess their sins and allow Christ to cleanse them from all sin, all filthiness
of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God, but thoughts such as these are far from the
heart and mind of the carnal man. Even though they have the same Bible available to them, it bears no
significance and has no influence.
The Lord calls for workers who can and will feel the true plight of those who do not know Jesus [The
Truth]. Gods’ “called out ones” hunger and thirst for opportunities to have a part in the salvation of souls
for whom Christ died, and sacrifice anything that they may be saved. They will even give their own life that
another might be saved. This is not done through the power of man. It is the power of the Holy Spirit of
God and Christ, working through mighty faith that can make us able to do, on behalf of others, what He
requires in the salvation of souls. It is by this same power that God’s people successfully resist the many
snares Satan has laid for us. The words and example of our Redeemer is the light and strength of all those
who follow and trust in Him, and He will not leave them to perish.
However, in the midst of those who have been called out, there are those who claim to be “called out”
and have not been. Paul in his day, reveals in Romans 9:2-6;
"…I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were
accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: 4 Who are Israelites; to
whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the
service of God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh
Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. 6 Not as though the word of God hath
taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:…"
Christians, falsely so called, often fear the displeasure of those who do not love and serve God, and ally
themselves with the world, so as not be subjected to the earthly, persecuting power. The enemies of our Lord
are thereby given opportunity to influence them by worldly opinions and they are deceived.
Jesus warned us, as is recorded in Matthew 24:24,

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 “For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders;
insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
Too late, many God's people will realize, that they cannot do this without being deceived to some degree
and make the Word of God of less effect in our own lives. ‘Know ye not that the friendship of the world is
enmity with God?’ If the heart is right, there will be a decided separation from the world. Few are as
separate from the world as God requires them to be, and do not see and understand the danger of partial
surrender. They are led astray by their love of the world, even while claiming and strongly desiring to be
Christians.
Read again, John 15:17 - 21;
Because the world (carnally minded) do not know God, they hate and persecute His people. Even though
God’s professed people are sincere for a time, when persecution arises, it is often more than they can endure
and for this reason they half-heartedly serve him, denying Him when it is inconvenient. When persecution
makes them too uncomfortable and they pressed out of their comfort zone, they turn again to that which they
prefer -- creature comforts rather than and heart and mind free from guilt and shame. To avoid persecution,
they deny God and choose the ways of the world, which is fleeting rather than suffer for Christ, for a season.
God's own (elect), under fear of persecution, become uncommitted pretenders and yet, remain firmly
entrenched in their positions as officers and servants of God. Paul warns that there will be some who
“having a form of godliness, but deny the power thereof:…” and tells us, “from such turn away.” (2Timothy
3:5) Pretenders, such as this, strengthen the cause of Satan, foster even more persecution for the true
followers of God and tend to make the Word of God diminish in regard to whether the Christ of the Bible
has the power to save souls from Sin. Because God is “unable” to deliver them from trials and persecution,
they tend to disbelieve in His ability to deliver from Sin and its results.
Is there anything that God's people can do to head off or avoid the coming persecution? Many feel that
there is nothing that can be done and many think it their duty to restrict the workings of Satan, working in
concert with the angels that have been sent to “hold back the winds.” Regardless of which camp we find
ourselves in, we cannot deny that Christians are called to watch and pray and to preach the Word in season
and out of season. As evil unfolds around us, the manifestations of evil can, themselves, be used as evidence
against Sin and the Father of lies. Satan is his own worst enemy, and while he is the enemy of souls spends
all his time afflicting mankind, he is only securing his own defeat. Day by day, he is fabricating the net that
will one day bind him. He torments us, because we are the crowning act of God’s creation. For that same
reason, however, God has promised that he will never leave us nor forsake us. We are children of the King
of the universe and, while prophecy speaks of the evil that will come upon the Earth in the last days, it also
promises that God’s people will be delivered at the time appointed. (Daniel 11:35 & 12:1-3) God's Word is
very clear concerning the fact that these things will take place and that He will bring Sin and its corrupt
consequences to an end. It is a matter of prophecy, therefore, it will come to pass.
Evil enmity, without our understanding how or why, causes us to deny the Lord that bought us by
denying to “hear his voice.” (John 10:27) By denying truth, we eliminate the opportunity to draw nearer
to God’s will for us and remain in ignorance regarding that particular truth, lessening the likelihood that
accompanying truths will be accepted (considered acceptable). We also leave ourselves open for coinciding
truths to be denied and, therefore, leave ourselves open to further deception. All without knowing it –
because enmity is so subtle. The end result is that we will not “be diligent that ye [we] may be found of him
in peace, without spot, and blameless…” which is God’s will for us.
Enmity is present when one is deceived concerning Scriptural truth(s). A person may feel (think), that
because they have been taught a certain way concerning a particular passage of Scripture and they come
across a text or another passage that disagrees with their current belief/understanding, it is their “duty” to
hold fast to that which they have learned. When in fact, if the conviction is wholly established in Scripture
and godly enmity, (the mind of Christ), abides in the believer, he/she will submit to the newfound truth and
surrender his/her former belief to God. Evil enmity would have them deny the discovery of a disagreeable
text or passage and be hindered from yielding to the call of the Holy Spirit of Promise. The person, who
responds in a manner such as this, will not allow the Spirit of Christ to guide them “…into all truth.” And
will grieve the Holy Spirit on that point of Bible doctrine. When asked about doctrine, recorded in John
7:16-18, “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. 17 If any man will
do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. 18 He that

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speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and
no unrighteousness is in him.”
When we discover “new” truth (new to us) we should be as the noble Bereans. “These were more noble
than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the
scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”
Perhaps the most alarming statement that a person, claiming to be a Bible-believing Christian, could say
is: “I know what the Bible says, but I believe…” Whatever might follow the “but” will probably unscriptural
and, therefore, based on faulty thinking and filled with error. Man’s thinking, if it is not based in Scripture,
is faulty and that is why each of us must read Scripture for ourselves, so that we can answer the question put
forth by Christ in Luke 10:26, “How readest thou?” It is important for each of us to be “fully persuaded” in
our own hearts concerning the Truth of Scripture, knowing, indeed, that God is able to perform that which
he promises. (Romans 4:21)

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