I saw the Hunger Games movie recently.
There’s a scene where Katniss aims her bow at Finnick – certain that she will hit her mark. Everything in her is telling her to let the arrow fly. But just then, her target speaks out: “Katniss, remember who the real enemy is.” At these words, she comes to her senses and lays down her weapons.
Remember who the real enemy is.
In recent years, there’s been a lot of debate and activism going on. It seems at least to me, that at every turn there’s a new debate to take part in or some new issue to contend about.
But if we’re Christians, that means we’re soldiers of the LORD’s army — so what should we fight against? Thinking about this question, I figured the best way to find out would be to ask God Himself.
In Joshua 5, Joshua is leading the new generation of Israelites into the Promised Land when they meet their first obstacle: Jericho’s defensive walls. Near Jericho, Joshua sees a man standing before him with a drawn sword.
That made Joshua ask, “Are you for us or against us?” The man reveals himself to be the Lord’s army commander (divine in nature), and simply replies “Neither.”
After I finished reading the whole book of Joshua, I started to understand why the commander had replied so tangentially.
Bear with me and think back to the Hunger Games movie, where Finnick was about to be shot by Katniss. In this chapter, through the commander, it was like God was reminding Joshua: “Remember who the real enemy is.”
The real enemy wasn’t the Canaanites whom the Israelites had to conquer. God was more interested in conquering the real enemy: sin.
The Israelites were so fixated on defeating their mortal enemies — they should have been more concerned about sin.
We are often just as narrow-sighted as the Israelites in the way we choose our fights. We are so caught up with the physical and what is right before us. We think Christianity is about behavioural rectification, so all we do is wear nice and play nice on the outside.
For many, it borders on false religion — and Jesus had plain words for such attitudes.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27-28)
There is a place for social justice and activism. But when I see how much of it is fuelled by revenge and anger, I’m not convinced that naming and shaming is the answer to the brokenness ravaging the world.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19)
It is human to feel deeply about injustice in the world. After all, we are made in the image of a just God. But before we wage war, we should consider if the battle is even ours to fight. There’s enough vitriol and hate online and in the world, and the last thing Christians need is friendly fire in the Church.
King David wisely said, “be angry but do not sin (Psalm 4:4).” In a world of great brokenness, while we seek justice (Isaiah 1:17) and defend the needy’s cause — we must know that we are not avengers.
Don’t stumble and sin because you see someone else’s sin — it is God’s job to avenge (Romans 12:19). Before we type up something online, let’s ask ourselves whether our words are true. Let’s ask if they are helpful and necessary.
The goal of discipleship is not behavioural rectification. It’s heart transformation.
The brokenness we see in the world should come as little surprise. Sin is ugly. This is life in a sinful and broken world.
Sin didn’t just destroy our relationship with God. It destroyed our relationships with one another, with creation and even with ourselves.
Why is there so much damage to the earth? It’s because the relationship between humans and all other creation has been severed by sin. Animal cruelty, deforestation, oil spills, global warming, extinction … All the miry byproducts of sin.
It’s the same reason for issues with body image: We have a broken relationship with who we were created to be.
Don’t just get angry at the sexual predators or dictators in the world today, and forget the reason for all this rubbish. Remember who the real enemy is!
But the battle against death is won.
As believers, we know that Jesus has won against sin. He triumphed against death itself and has promised eternal life together with Him to all who believe.
So, our battle to win the hearts of man isn’t a physical one — it’s spiritual in nature. Consider what Paul has to say.
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rules, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Therefore, soldiers of the LORD’s army, “Take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (Ephesians 6:13)
Consider who you’ve got in the sights of your bow. Remember, your fight is against sin.
