Introduction. The term “public enemy” is a term to describe dangerous criminals, particularly in the U.S. in the 1930s. These people included Al Capone, John Dillinger, Pretty Boy Floyd, Baby Face Nelson, and Bonnie & Clyde. Even today, the FBI, CIA, and Secret Service maintain similar lists of “Most Wanted” terrorists, serial killers, and other notorious criminals who are often armed and dangerous, posing a clear and present danger to law-abiding citizens.
From a spiritual perspective, we see similar warnings about spiritual threats with terms like “enemy”, “adversary”, “beware”, “take heed”, “deceivers”, “false”, “destructive”, and “snare”. If we take the concept of “public enemy #1”, who do you think it would be? As we’ll see, there a many potential candidates for this position according to the scriptures.
Starting with the Most Obvious One? People familiar with the Bible likely would first think of Satan (adversary), also known as “the Devil” (false accuser), “the tempter”, “ruler of demons”, “Beelzebul”, “the evil one”, “the ruler of this world”, “the god of this age”, “the great dragon”, “the old serpent”, and “deceiver”. Scripture would certainly support him as a candidate.
Atheism, Humanism, and Evolution? Perhaps people might recognize the danger posed by those who advocate we have no need for God. This may take the form of a rejection that deities exist, humanity is capable of morality and self-fulfillment without belief in God, and/or that the universe created itself via purely natural processes according to “science” & standard public schools indoctrination. After all, this self-guidance was at the root of Satan’s deception of Eve (“…you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Gen. 3:5).
We can easily see the danger of such teaching that results in no objective standard for right/wrong.
From a spiritual perspective, we see similar warnings about spiritual threats with terms like “enemy”, “adversary”, “beware”, “take heed”, “deceivers”, “false”, “destructive”, and “snare”. If we take the concept of “public enemy #1”, who do you think it would be? As we’ll see, there a many potential candidates for this position according to the scriptures.
Starting with the Most Obvious One? People familiar with the Bible likely would first think of Satan (adversary), also known as “the Devil” (false accuser), “the tempter”, “ruler of demons”, “Beelzebul”, “the evil one”, “the ruler of this world”, “the god of this age”, “the great dragon”, “the old serpent”, and “deceiver”. Scripture would certainly support him as a candidate.
- Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 1 Pet. 5:8
Atheism, Humanism, and Evolution? Perhaps people might recognize the danger posed by those who advocate we have no need for God. This may take the form of a rejection that deities exist, humanity is capable of morality and self-fulfillment without belief in God, and/or that the universe created itself via purely natural processes according to “science” & standard public schools indoctrination. After all, this self-guidance was at the root of Satan’s deception of Eve (“…you will be like God, knowing good and evil. Gen. 3:5).
We can easily see the danger of such teaching that results in no objective standard for right/wrong.
- ... everyone did what was right in his own eyes. Judges 17:6; 21:25
- The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1; 53:1