Household enemy is a dangerous enemy but seems less powerful by many, because many people don’t believe a very close relation can think evil towards them or does anything to harm them. The evil friends and spiritual powers subtly pass through the household enemy easily to the targeted person because of the assumption mentioned above. In today’s devotional, we will take a look at how Judas Iscariot acted Himself a household enemy to betray Jesus Christ. He was a household enemy because he belonged to the twelve Apostles chosen by Jesus Christ. He was a treasurer of the Apostles by designation. He knew Jesus very well. When the executioners found it difficult to differentiate Jesus from the other Apostles, Judas Iscariot offered himself on contract to show them who is Jesus by a kiss on the His day of arrest. Jesus Himself knew that Judas Iscariot has accepted to betray Him (Matt. 26: 33).
Like Jesus Christ, many of us know that someone within our close relatives or acquaintances is responsible for our predicaments, yet we do nothing about it. Most often, the person who is passing through all hells in the hands of the household enemy does not usually consider that the household enemy as the one harming him or her. This in itself is spiritually manipulated. Psalm 55 is said to be one of the Messianic Psalms. These are Psalms which contain information and prophecies about Jesus Christ. Jesus expressed His disappointment over the betrayal of His household enemy when He said: “It is not an enemy who taunts me, I could bear that. It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me – I could have hidden from them. Instead, it is you, my equal, my companion and close friend” (Psa. 55: 12 – 13 Africa Study Bible). As seen, our worst enemies are those too close to us. In Nigeria, we are hearing in news and reading in newspapers and news magazines how brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, relations as well as house helps have sold out one in a family or arranges for armed robbery in the house. Kidnappers and hired assassins pass through those who know a family intimately. Typical of things household enemies do, of course.
The focus of this devotional is not only to offer prayers dealing with household enemy. It is principally to give information and wisdom on how to relate with household enemies. There are signals to know one who is household enemy. These signals will form the last series on this discussion. On the other side, this devotional intends to guide people on the extent of trusting people, especially anyone too close to you. What one needs to guide self against household enemy is sticking to God who will always offer Divine Wisdom for living and relating with people. The Bible warns: “Let everyone beware of his neighbour, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbour goes about as a slanderer” (Jer. 9: 4 English Standard Versions).What can you make out of this devotional now?
PRAYER:
Father God, I have trusted friends and relations too much enough. Show me today, those who are my household enemies. Take care of them for me while you cover me with your canopy in Jesus name.
POSITIVE DECLARATION:
I see myself under the canopy of God against the arrows of my household enemies as from today.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch