Getting friendly with the enemy?
It’s a tough story to hear.
I first heard it years ago.
It comes from the height of the second World War.
In a heated battle, an American soldier temporarily got separated from his squad. So did a German soldier. These two stumbled upon each other, both aiming their guns, ready to fire at the other.
One hesitated. So did the other.
The German soldier lowered his rifle, then the American soldier did the same.
They walked up to the other, looked at each other. The American then took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to the German soldier. The German soldier took out some matches and lit both cigarettes.
The two men leaned their rifles and themselves on a downed tree trunk and took out pictures of their loved ones. Their wives. Their children. They pointed, nodded, laughed.
It was two men sharing the humanity they had in common.
They struggled through the language barrier with a story or two of “back home.”
Then they shook hands.
Then the American soldier picked up his rifle and shot the German soldier.
Dead.
Why did he do it?
For a few moments, the horrors of war had dissipated and the two shared some commonalities. In ways, they weren’t so different.
In other ways, they were.
The American explained he knew one thing: when the cigarette was smoked, the conversation finished, both would return to the work at hand: killing the enemy before the enemy killed them or their cohorts. One of the two men would not live to see the end of the day.
The American said in spite of a moment of laughter and lightheartedness, he knew who his enemy was. So did the man who had stood next to him.
It’s a tough story to hear, but it brings to light the need to know who our enemies are. They may show themselves friendly, they may laugh with us, they may seem to be a lot like us. Who are they?
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places,” Ephesians 6:12.
The Apostle Paul amplified his description of the enemy when writing to the Corinthians:
“But I will continue doing what I have always done. This will undercut those who are looking for an opportunity to boast that their work is just like ours. These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve,” 2 Corinthians 11:12-15.
The fighting fatigues of our enemy? The appearance of an angel of light, a minster of righteousness. Yet his intent is to destroy. The Apostle Peter put it this way:
“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are,” 1 Peter 5:8-9.
As wiley and dangerous as the enemy may be, there is a safe place for us:
“But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one,” 2 Thessalonians 3:3.
Scotty
June 27, 2012 at 8:49 pm
I must say, this is the most troubling story I have ever heard. Indeed the complexities of war are difficult at best. However, for a disciple of Christ they are much more clear for Christ becomes the center of reality and the lens through which one sees the world. Ironically, I found this post with the search term "extraordinary," as I have been reflecting on the Greek form of the world which is found in Matt. 5:47 concerning love for one's enemies.
When Jesus tells his follower to love their enemies, there is no distinction between enemies, except that the more hatred one has towards us, the more his need of love. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven." There is absolutely no room in such a commandment for murdering your enemies. On the contrary, “If your enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink.”
It is important to never forget who your enemy is, I agree. But it is not the other person. That person must be seen as a brother to the Christian, for we all share in humanity, and therefore must be treated accordingly-by no means reciprocating whatever action has come from the other. Is this not the nature of Christ? A true disciple of Christ looks to the cross and realizes that "he" is the enemy of Christ. Yet, Christ embraced in the cruciform for him and loved him as brother. True this is contrary to "natural reasoning," (which is our true enemy) but that is precisely what Christ-likeness is. It is a new way to live, which he calls the "extraordinary." It is a new way to be human! "If one is in Christ, he is a new creation." To humanize the enemy, as in the illustration, and then proceed to take his life, could not be further from Christ-likeness. It is a blatant rejection of Christ and his teachings. Ultimately, it is self-preservation at the expense of those whom God called us to love, just as he loved us and loved that soldier. I for one, am appalled and ashamed…
June 27, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Jess, I appreciate your plunging into the topic. That was the idea of the post, to generate thought and deeper biblical consideration of what scripture says about who our enemy is. Thanks for sharing!