Public Enemy #1
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 are 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 school 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.
False Apostles and Teachers? Have you considered the spiritual danger of religious leaders in positions of trust who lead people astray with false doctrines? You should!
False Plans of Salvation? Speaking of false doctrines, maybe “public enemy #1” isn’t a person but doctrines that mislead people into thinking they are saved when in reality they are not. Briefly consider some of these:
“Predestination” – God will let you know if/when He wants you …
For more on these topics, see our topical index under “Topics > P > Predestination”, “F” for “Faith”, “A” for “Apostasy”, “C” for “Church, the True”, and “D” for “Denominationalism”.
Friends and Family? Knowing how close and influential family and friends can be, perhaps they qualify as public enemies in a spiritual sense when they are not faithful Christians?
Yes, there are lots of potential candidates for our designation of “Public Enemy #1”. But arguably the most dangerous Public Enemy is …
Ourselves! Yes, that person you see in the mirror every day can be your own worst enemy!
Own desires -
Capturing the Enemy. If the purpose of the “Public Enemy #1” designation is not only to warn citizens, but also to eventually capture them, how might we apply this concept spiritually to ourselves as our own worst enemy? Consider:
Conclusion. Certainly there are many spiritually dangerous enemies out there we need to be aware of and on our guard against. But arguably the most dangerous one is the one we see in the mirror every morning. So, we should always be on our guard against ourselves, our beliefs, attitudes, what we do, how we talk, where we go, and such every day.
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 are 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 school 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
False Apostles and Teachers? Have you considered the spiritual danger of religious leaders in positions of trust who lead people astray with false doctrines? You should!
- 39 “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?” Luke 6:39
- 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform them-selves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works. 2 Cor. 11:13-15
- 29 For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Acts 20:30-31
- 1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2 Pet. 2:1-2
False Plans of Salvation? Speaking of false doctrines, maybe “public enemy #1” isn’t a person but doctrines that mislead people into thinking they are saved when in reality they are not. Briefly consider some of these:
“Predestination” – God will let you know if/when He wants you …
- The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Pet. 3:9
- … Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins Acts 2:38
- … But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. … Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Cor. 9:24-10:13
- …on this rock I will build My church… Matt. 16:18
- Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Matt. 7:13
For more on these topics, see our topical index under “Topics > P > Predestination”, “F” for “Faith”, “A” for “Apostasy”, “C” for “Church, the True”, and “D” for “Denominationalism”.
Friends and Family? Knowing how close and influential family and friends can be, perhaps they qualify as public enemies in a spiritual sense when they are not faithful Christians?
- My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. Prov. 1:10
- Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Cor. 15:33
- For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ. Gal. 1:10
- He who loves father or mother …son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Matt. 10:37
Yes, there are lots of potential candidates for our designation of “Public Enemy #1”. But arguably the most dangerous Public Enemy is …
Ourselves! Yes, that person you see in the mirror every day can be your own worst enemy!
- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 2 Cor. 5:10
Own desires -
- and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, … Mark 4:19
- But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed... James 1:14-15
- For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16
- fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, Eph. 2:3
- Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall. Prov. 16:18
- For you see your calling, brethren, that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. 1 Cor. 1:26
- Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.1 Cor. 10:12
- …And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank (beam, log) in your own eye? Matt. 7:1-5
- and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 2 Thes. 2:10
- For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 2 Tim. 4:3
- There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Prov. 16:25
- Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7
Capturing the Enemy. If the purpose of the “Public Enemy #1” designation is not only to warn citizens, but also to eventually capture them, how might we apply this concept spiritually to ourselves as our own worst enemy? Consider:
- Know the enemy - Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves…. 2 Cor. 13:5
- Capture our body - but I discipline my body and make it my slave 1 Cor. 9:27
- Capture our thoughts - We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, 2 Cor. 10:5
Conclusion. Certainly there are many spiritually dangerous enemies out there we need to be aware of and on our guard against. But arguably the most dangerous one is the one we see in the mirror every morning. So, we should always be on our guard against ourselves, our beliefs, attitudes, what we do, how we talk, where we go, and such every day.
- Only take heed to yourself, and diligently keep yourself… Deut. 4:9