In the twentieth chapter of the book of Deuteronomy we read: "When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies ... be not afraid of them: . . . for the Lord your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you." From time immemorial much has been conceived, said, written, and experienced in connection with what the world looks upon as enemies. In the main, whatever has been thought and voiced regarding these so-called enemies, has been almost wholly associated with human personalities, with alleged shortcomings, inclinations, habits, customs, methods, ways; and as a consequence, there have sprung up qualities which are recognized as vain imaginations, to wit, suspicion, jealousy, envy, slander, malice, hate, resentment, vituperation, and their host of concomitants.
As is implied in the Scripture above quoted, the mortal concept and asserted power of personal enemies is and always has been the procuring cause of most of humanity's bitterness and woe, of its dissensions and divisions, its wars and tumults, its strifes and struggles. It is and has been the procuring cause of more heart-breaks and discouragement, more downfalls and failures, more hopelessness and despair, than language could begin to portray. Claiming evil to be real, with a legitimate, rightful excuse for being, an omniactive decisive force to be reckoned with in daily affairs, this belief has indeed seemed to afflict upon both individuals and nations its sharp, death-dealing blows.
The Bible contains much that has to do with the subject of so-called enemies, and if its chapters, particularly those of the Old Testament, were to be taken literally, one might seem to be justified in concluding that Holy Writ both favors and substantiates the belief that in human conduct and experience the power of the enemy always has been and always may be as great if not greater than the power of divine Love, or that of God Himself. But it must be remembered that, in its highest, purest, and best analysis, the Bible does not stand for the material, but for the spiritual; and for this reason he who really would progress and be successful in its study must continually seek for, find, and use its true spiritual meaning. Thus, and thus only, will he be able to overcome the lurking temptation to be discouraged or disheartened in his work; or, what is still worse, to be led mentally astray by the mere word-expressions or word-pictures of this grand old book.
