Am I My Own Worst Enemy?

By Nicole Redmon

“When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” Proverbs 16:7

We read from Genesis to Revelation passages about enemies — from our enemies to God’s enemies and all those in between. Enemies are aggravating and annoying at times. They can seem constant and increasing. Enemies seek to destroy and damage all that is in their path. But have we ever considered that we might be included in that list of foes? You may be wondering, “How does that happen?" I think if we were completely honest with ourselves, we would find it quite easy to become our own aggravating nemesis.

I can become my own worst enemy by worrying. Nothing can steal your joy quicker than to become a worry wart. Colossians 3:15, “ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

The very opposite of worry is peace. And Colossians just informed us that we are to let the peace of God rule, reign, and take over our hearts. When worry starts to take over my thoughts, it is not long until it infiltrates my prayer time. 

It consumes and overwhelms my entire life. I must remember to focus on my Savior and do the latter part of that verse… “and be ye thankful.” Start praising Him. Begin thanking Him for the “yes’s” and the “no’s.” Take a good look around you. It could be worse. Do as I Peter 5:7 instructs us and cast those cares upon Him. 

I can become my own worst enemy by my own words. This area haunts me more than any other area in my life. You would think I would have learned by now “study to be quiet…” (I Thessalonians 4:11). Why do I feel it necessary to say what I am thinking? Why can’t I fight the urge to get in the last word? Why do harmful phrases come so easily and the kind, encouraging, nurturing words get lost amongst my idle words? Knowing the whole time that I will have to give an account for them (Matthew 12:36). We all know the answer to these questions. It is a nasty little word that we call pride. 

We like the fleshly satisfaction of being right. I heard a lady ask a particularly important question once. She said,

“You may be right, but are you being righteous?”

Ouch! I have sliced and diced with that unruly tongue before. And then, when I get alone with my Lord, I wonder why He is not hearing a word that I say. Psalm 66:18, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me.” I know that the Lord wants to hear from me. So, why would I do anything to jeopardize that communion? Again, my pride. 

God’s Word tells us in Proverbs 16:7, “When a man’s ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.” I genuinely want a peaceful life. I do not care to live in turmoil and chaos because I cannot stop talking. James speaks a lot on the tongue and how damaging it can be. Even though we cannot tame our tongues, I do believe we can have little victories if we will allow the Lord to help us with our words. Ask Him to help you on a daily basis to make your words wise and useful. And dare I say “few” at times? We have all heard that famous phrase, “less is best.” I think we can apply that to our speech as well.

Finally, I can become my own worst enemy when I begin to compare myself to others. This may be better explained by calling it what it really is — jealousy! How many of us would be honest and admit that we have struggled with this area from time to time? “Why can’t I have her gift of singing, teaching, and encouragement? I wish we could go on a vacation like that. I wish my husband were like hers. And I wish my children turned out like theirs?” Sound familiar? This is the ugly side of comparison. 

The Bible tells us that this is not wise…II Corinthians 10:12, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves among themselves, are not wise.” You can easily create an environment where you begin to believe that you are unworthy. Am I setting goals for myself that are not achievable? Am I doing what I desire over what the Lord has expected of me? God has given me specific gifts to serve Him by, and I need to be confident in those.

Stop trying to be other people. I am created for a work that only I can do. If God wanted me to be someone else, He would have made me someone else, period.

Your husband is yours. Your children are yours. Be excited that the Lord has blessed you with them. Glorify God for His blessings on your life. It could be taken away so quickly. 

We find it quite easy to identify enemies in our lives, or times when we were under their attacks. Do not join that team in tearing you down. Live by those fruits of the Spirit. You cannot do that if you are constantly battling yourself. You may even end up shooting yourself in the foot! Just like the brethren are not your enemies, neither are you. You are a soldier of the cross, battling this world all the time. Never put yourself in a position to tear yourself apart. Satan tries to do that often. Let us not give him a helping hand. Stop worrying about the things that are not in your control. Be careful with your words, and “be ye thankful” for all that the Lord has given to you.