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Christians are at war with the world, the flesh and the devil. Satan empowers the world to attack believers externally, persecuting, deceiving and seducing them. Internally, sinfulness frustrates the efforts of believers to serve God fully.

The world is an enemy

Jas 4:4 “world” here refers to the sinful human race, hostile to the truth and to the people of God. See also Ro 12:2; 1Jn 2:15-17; 1Jn 5:4

The world hates Christians Jn 15:19-20 See also Mt 5:10-12 pp Lk 6:22; Jn 16:2; Jn 17:14; 1Pe 4:12-16; 1Jn 3:13; Rev 13:7 The beast may represent the world’s antichristian persecution.

The world has its own false teaching and religion Col 2:8 See also 1Ti 4:1; 2Ti 4:3-4; 1Jn 4:1; 2Jn 7-11; Jude 3-4; Rev 13:11; Rev 19:20 This beast is thought to represent antichristian religion.

The world seeks to seduce Christians 1Jn 2:16 See also Lk 12:15,19; 2Ti 4:10; Tit 2:12; Heb 11:24-25; Rev 17:1-5 Babylon may represent the world’s seduction.

Sinful human nature is an enemy

Gal 5:17; 1Pe 2:11 See also Ro 6:12; Ro 7:14-23; Ro 8:13; Gal 5:24; Col 3:5; Heb 12:4; Jas 4:1

The devil is an enemy

1Pe 5:8 See also Mt 13:39 pp Mk 4:15 pp Lk 8:12; Jn 17:15; 2Th 3:3; Rev 2:10; Rev 12:17

He seeks to tempt Christians 1Th 3:5 See also Ge 3:1-6; Heb 2:18; Heb 4:15

He seeks to deceive 2Co 11:3; Rev 12:9 See also Ge 3:13; 2Co 2:11; 2Co 4:4; 2Co 11:4; Rev 20:3

He constantly seeks to accuse believers Rev 12:10 See also Job 1:9-11; Zec 3:1

See also