I AGREE WITH MY ADVERSARY

As I was sitting in the park with a friend enjoying the sunshine, she suddenly asked me a question. “Sigi, I know you can do all things through Jesus Christ, but sometimes it seems like such an incomplete explanation of how we can accomplish the greatest thing in God. We use this scripture without really explaining how it is done, or how we accomplish ‘all things’. Tell me, how do you explain to me the tremendous things, which God does through people like yourself? How can you go to places where very few women can go? How do you overcome loneliness, fears and so on? How do we have victory in the face of these negative situations?”

I sat there thinking and looking into my life. Yes, there were fears, loneliness, and heartbreaks. I had to admit it. Yet, I wondered about it for a while. How did I overcome them? Many times, I felt like giving up, but I did not. I just kept hanging on and gaining ground with every experience in my life and with every dedication unto God. However, how was I able to cope with each difficult situation? I knew it was through Jesus Christ’s help, but in what way was He helping me to overcome and conquer every fiery trail. Suddenly the reason behind it all flashed into my mind like a bolt of lightning. I jumped up from the bench and cried out, “ I agree with my adversary. That is how I can overcome loneliness, fear and frustration.” Yes, that verse which I had never really been able to understand was the very key in my life to enable me to live in victory and overcome each test. I had been using it without even realizing it. I had unconsciously, through the Holy Spirit, lived the law of Jesus. What does it say in (Matthew 5:25)? – “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whilst thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.”

Agree comes from the Greek word Eunoeo (yoo-no-eh-o). It is used only this once in the Bible. It means to be well minded, i.e.-reconcile. It is a composite of two Greek words: Eu (yoo)- meaning good, well (done) and Nous (noose) – mind, understanding.

This explains it to us more fully and gives us a better understanding of what Jesus is saying. Jesus means, have a good understanding of your adversary. Find him in the Spirit. Know why he is what he is, and know what his intentions are.

Adversary comes from the Greek word Antidikos (an-tid-ee-kos), an opponent (in a lawsuit). It is derived from two words: Anti (an-tee) – meaning opposite, instead of, and Dike (dee-kay) – justice, right, judgment.

That is, one who is the opposite of what we think is right. Your “adversary” can be a situation as much as it can be a person. Shall we put it in plain everyday language? Jesus is saying, “have a good understanding of your anti-justice situation. Try to find good in the evil, right in the wrong, blessing in the curse, joy in the sorrow. Agree, submit, and understand with God’s help what God is permitting to happen in your life, even if it seems to be unjust and an evil thing (an adversary in your life). (James 4:7-10)

I believe that many do not come into their complete fulfillment because they have never learned to agree with their adversary. As a result, they are imprisoned in their innermost being because they cannot say with Paul the Apostle in (Philippians 4:11) – “for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”

In His Love,
      Sigi

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