As strange as it may sound, God ues haters and enemies to elevate your calling and to provide for any need.
Life has a funny way of throwing curveballs—sometimes in the form of people who seem bent on derailing us. Yet, as we dig into Scripture, we find a surprising truth: our enemies, whether they mean to or not, often play a role in drawing us closer to God.
I mean, the Bible does say "we do know that all things work together for the good of them who love God and are called according to His purposes," right (Rom. 8:28)?
In proof of posit, let's explore this idea through two well-known texts—Nehemiah 6:1-3 and Philippians 3:15-19—and discover how God uses His adversaries to fulfill His purposes.
In Nehemiah 6, we meet a man on a mission.
Nehemiah, a captive in a foreign land, serving as the king's cup-bearer, was granted permission to return to Jerusalem to rebuild its broken walls—a great work ordained by God.
But as soon as the work began, three enemies emerged: Sanballat, Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian. These men weren’t subtle about their opposition. They mocked, they threatened, and they schemed to lure Nehemiah away from his task, inviting him to a meeting that was a trap (Neh. 6:2).
Nehemiah’s response? “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down” (Neh. 6:3). He saw through their tactics and stayed focused.
Here’s the big idea: If God sent you into a situation and you keep serving Him despite the hardships, your enemies will never stop what God is doing. In fact, they’re a required obstacle to your destiny.
Think about it—without resistance, Nehemiah might not have leaned so heavily on God’s strength. The opposition clarified his purpose and sharpened his resolve. Those enemies outside the walls didn’t derail God’s plan; they became a catalyst for its completion.
Now let’s shift to Philippians 3:15-19, where Paul takes us inside the church. He’s mourning here—not for outsiders, but for people who were once hard-core believers and had now become “enemies of the cross” (Philipp. 3:18).
These weren’t pagans or persecutors; they were part of the Philippian church however, somewhere along the way, they’d gone away backwards, as an old preacher used to say, abandoning the faith they once championed.
Here’s the striking big idea: Paul never says these enemies of the cross were outside the church. That’s a sobering thought. While Nehemiah faced external foes, Paul points to a subtler danger—enemies within.
And the saddest part?
Many of these folks likely believed they were still standing for God, even as they worked against His purposes. Pride, offense, or distraction had blinded them to the truth.
Where do these two sample texts meet?
Both reveal that enemies come in two forms: those on their way to disrupt the work of God (like Sanballat and company) and those already inside the church, perhaps sitting in the pew next to you.
It has been my well-considered experience that the mot dangerous people are alway inide the House of God rather than from outside because they are much harder to spot.
This blog is full of such real world examples from personal experience such as the Denver Rescue Mission and their complete slaughter of the Saints who happened to work there and were black.
Whether external or internal, these adversaries test our faith. But here’s the twist: God doesn’t just tolerate them—He uses them. Throughout history, enemies have united God’s people and propelled His plans forward.
Think of the Civil Rights Movement, where Black communities rallied against segregation; Gandhi’s India, rising against British rule; or even today’s protests in Hong Kong. A common enemy often births uncommon unity.
This isn’t a new concept—it’s woven into Scripture. Consider Judas Iscariot. As distasteful as it sounds, how would God’s plan for Jesus’ sacrifice have unfolded without Judas’ betrayal (Matt. 26:47-56)?
Or Pharaoh—Romans 9:17 says God raised him up as an enemy of Israel so His power could be displayed. Even Satan, running wild for millennia, serves as a foil to showcase God’s ultimate victory.
Trying to stop God’s enemies in our own strength might actually block God from getting the glory He deserves. More plainly, if you resist those who resist God at the wrong moment, your prayer will not be answered!
Take Esther 7 as another example. Haman built gallows to hang Mordecai, but God turned the curse into a blessing—Haman ended up swinging from his own trap. Or Paul—his enemies threw him in prison, but that confinement gave him time to write letters that still shape the church today.
God flips the script every time.
Here are points to consider: #1: Recognize the Attack, See God’s Will
Not recognizing attacks from the enemy means missing God’s will and this often occur because of bad teaching. The very things the enemy uses to destroy you—criticism, setbacks, betrayal—are often the tools God uses to reveal His purpose. Proverbs 25:21-22 says, “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink… and the Lord shall reward you.”
When we respond to evil with good, God uncovers things in us—pride, bitterness, fear—that need His touch. Those coals of fire we heap? They refine us too.
#2: Let God Handle the Multitude of Idiots
Let me be clear before going forward; I am not suggesting we simply lat down the sword of justice in lieu the the turn the other cheek, 100% of the time false doctrine. Jesus didn't even turn the other cheek every time will His enemies beat him down!
However, for every thing there is a season and time and purpose for everything under the heavens (Eccles. 3). If it is the non-resistance season, stop fixating on enemies and let God deal with them all.
Moses killed one Egyptian and fled to the desert (Ex. 2:12), but years later, God drowned the entire Egyptian army in the Red Sea (Ex. 14). The enemy loves to distract us with a single tree so we miss the forest—focusing on one critic while another sneaks up in the shadows.
Trust God to handle the big picture. He’s got them all in His sights.
#3: Enemies Prepare You for More
Finally, your enemies are preparing you for a higher walk with God. James 1:3-4 promises, “The trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
Jesus Himself said a servant isn’t greater than his master (John 15:20)—He faced enemies, and so will we. Yet we recoil at the thought, wanting faith without friction. Notice how Jesus handled His foes.
When Judas asked, “Is it I?” Jesus simply said, “Thou hast said” (Matt. 26:25). When Pilate asked, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He replied, “Thou sayest it” (John 18:37). No panic, no retaliation—just trust in the Godhead's plan.
When you stand for Jesus, enemies will show up—guaranteed. They’ll try to block your purpose, spread lies, and crawl out of the woodwork with hate. Some will be outside, scheming like Sanballat.
Others will be inside, smiling across the aisle while undermining the cross.
But here’s the good news: you don’t have to fight them. Let Jesus deal with His enemies—and yours. Recognize that their presence isn’t a detour; it’s part of the path.
So, don’t shut God’s enemies down too early. They might just be the way He brings about His plan in your life. Serve Him faithfully, like Nehemiah, and trust Him deeply, like Paul. Keep smiling—God knows who’s who, and He’s got this.
Your destiny isn’t in the hands of your haters; it’s in the hands of your Savior. And through every trial, every foe, He’s drawing you closer to Himself.
Comments