In this third section, verses 10-12, we will consider: an account of our enemies.
- They live for themselves. “They are inclosed in their own fat,” v 10. That suggests gluttony. “ . . . they are the enemies of the cross of Christ . . . . whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:18-19.
- The first weapon they employ against us is their mouth. “With their mouth they speak proudly,” V 10. They speak with a false sense of themselves, see 2 Peter 2:10-22; Jude 16.
- They love to set traps. “They have now compassed us in our steps,” verse 11. It is great sport to the ungodly to ‘trip up’ the Christian!
- How dangerous our enemies are. More dangerous that we often think, Ephesians 6:12-13. “The wicked that oppress (dead - Judges 5:27) me, from my deadly enemies,” verse 9. They surround us and are as lions, “greedy” to make us their prey, verse 12.
- Note their fury. “They have set their eyes bowing down to the earth,” verse 11. Is this not the image of a bull that is about to charge! It lowers its head down and then in its fury charges at its intended victim.
These are our enemies as revealed to us by the Lord. We would not understand their evil character if the Lord had not, throughout the Bible, revealed their devilish nature.
How much we need the Lord’s protection!