How long is your “Enemy List?” If it’s longer than your “Friends List,” there’s a problem. Most people don’t belong on your Enemy List.
The folks who root for different sports teams are not enemies. People who attend different churches are not enemies. Even the people who disagree with your politics shouldn’t be considered enemies. That’s the one we’re getting wrong right now.
We have become convinced that it is impossible to live peacefully with almost everyone. We have swallowed the idea that we’re at war with anyone who disagrees with us…about anything. Ironically, we spent 3 decades preaching about the importance of “diversity” to end up hating everyone who is different from us.
Practically speaking, it is better to have a short list of enemies. Enemies are of no use to you during an emergency. An enemy won’t loan you a car, pay for lunch, give you their perfectly good clothes that don’t fit them anymore, write a letter of recommendation, introduce you to their friends, or help you succeed in any way. In fact, an enemy will actively work to prevent your happiness.
It makes zero sense to create enemies over petty differences of opinion. (Most differences of opinion are petty. Quit taking yourself so seriously.) A long list of enemies automatically shortens your list of friends. So don’t be quick to add names to your enemy list.
However, there are SOME names that belong on the enemy list. Anyone who intentionally creates disunity to gain power, is your enemy. Strangers who want you separated from family and friends in order to exert influence over you are excellent candidates for your enemy list. In other words, a person who encourages you to make more enemies – is your enemy.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
– 1 John 1:7
