conquer your enemies
"Mark well, then, the parable of the sower." —Matthew 13:18
God's word is fruitful, powerful, life-changing, and earthshaking. Therefore, our enemy, the devil, tries to prevent us from ever hearing it or at least from taking it to heart (see Mt 13:19). A second enemy opposing our living of God's word is our lack of depth or roots (see Mt 13:21). When our relationship with the Lord is shallow, why would we suffer to obey His word? Our third enemy against living God's word is "worldly anxiety" (Mt 13:22). When we are worried about what we are to eat, drink, wear, do, think, feel, or spend (see Mt 6:31), we are so preoccupied that we become perpetual, spiritual procrastinators. Our fourth enemy is "the lure of money" (Mt 13:22). "The love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Tm 6:10). Materialism is one of the most toxic and addictive of all substances. If we love the world and the things that it affords, God the Father's love has no place in us (1 Jn 2:15).
In Christ, in love for Him and obedience to Him, we have victory over all these enemies of God's word. Conquer your enemies.
Prayer: Father, make Your word extremely fruitful in my life.
Promise: "I will appoint over you shepherds after My own heart, who will shepherd you wisely and prudently." —Jer 3:15
Praise: Walt prayed to St. Ann daily to reconcile a relationship between two of his loved ones that Walt considered irreconcilable. Several years later, Walt rejoiced as the reconciliation was more complete than he could have imagined (see Eph 3:20).
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Spiritual Warfare on audio AV 57-3 or video V-57.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, December 4, 2001
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, December 10, 2001