How To Subdue Your Enemies

HOW TO SUBDUE YOUR ENEMIES

Ps. 81:13-14

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR: Hating Your Enemies

1. The author of the famous tract, “Come To Jesus,” became embroiled in a theological dispute. He finally wrote a reply to his opponent, filled with sarcasm and invective, sharp and cutting as a razor.

2. Reading it to a friend he said, “I’m planning on publishing this next month, but I can’t think of a title. Can you suggest one?” His friend said, “That’s such a vicious attack that I suggest you call it, ‘Go To the Devil’ From the Author of ‘Come To Jesus!’” [Knight’s 3,000 Illus., p. 247]

3. That was a tongue-in-cheek rebuke for his change of spirit. May we stick close to the teachings of our Savior!

B. TEXT

“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!” Ps. 81:13-14

C. THESIS

1. Psalm 81 begins with an invitation to worship God. It was written as a praise psalm at the new moon. Verse 5 tells us how God went against Egypt to free Israel from slavery.

2. Asaph, the author, was a prophet, and in verses 8-11 God begins to prophesy through him how Israel would not listen to Him nor submit to Him. The results? God quite wrestling with their consciences – for their good – but gave them over to their own evil desires.

3. In verses 13-14 God tells what He wishes they would do and how that would enable Him to subdue their enemies. So that’s the title of our message, “How To Subdue Your Enemies.”

I. WE ALL HAVE ENEMIES

A. DO YOU HAVE ENEMIES?

1. ENEMY – “a person who hates you, opposes you, desires you harm, or maybe, just to stop you from doing something.” We all have enemies of one kind or another -- people who don’t like our ideas, what we stand for, or are jealous of our influence or position.

2. I’ve told you about the 104 year-old lady who was asked how many enemies she had. She said, “I don’t have any.” The host said, “You must be a remarkable person!” She responded, “No, I just outlived them all!”

3. Even if we didn’t have any earthly enemies, we still have one adversary – the devil. He’s out to steal from us, to kill, and to destroy. We must always be vigilant to stay on the Lord’s side and under His protection, that for the most part, we’ll be unassailable by the devil.

B. GOD PROMISES PROTECTION FOR HIS PEOPLE

1. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” 2 Chron. 15:9.

2. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them” Ps. 34:7.

3. “And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,” declares the Lord, “and I will be its glory within.” Zech. 2:5.

4. And the simple words of the Lord Jesus, “But not a hair of your head will perish” Lk. 21:18.

C. DO WE HAVE ENEMIES WITHIN?

1. Our biggest enemy can often be ourselves – our pride, our selfishness, our laziness, pleasure-seeking, materialism, etc.

2. We need to follow James’ advice to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (4:7). It’s up to us to resist!

3. How you live is a democratic process. Satan is voting for you to sin and go to hell. God is voting for you to repent, trust Christ, and go to heaven. The outcome of the election is determined by which way YOU VOTE! Are you going to vote with the devil or God?

II. THE DOUBLE-STROKE FOR SUCCESS

Strangely, getting victory over your enemies (in Ps. 81:13-14) HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR ENEMIES, BUT GETTING VICTORY OVER YOURSELF! The key to a victorious life is having a life that is aligned with God and His purposes! These 2 things will give us victory over our enemies:

A. “LISTEN TO ME”

1. Many say they listen to the Lord, but really they don’t. The Lord Jesus talked about those who “Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand” Mt 13:13. Their hearts aren’t really set on the Lord.

2. In Ps. 81:11 God tells the terrible danger of refusing to listen; God withdrew his Spirit from them, took off the bridle of restraining grace, and left them to themselves, to do whatever their fallen nature craved to do. To be abandoned by God is the most fearful punishment there is! (Rom. 1:24,26,28)

3. Unless you listen with the intent to obey, you’re really NOT listening. Hearing doesn’t have to do with the ears, or the brain, but with the heart. We follow the desires of our hearts, so we must make sure our desires are centered on God (Col. 3:1-4).