Can you tell the difference between an Opponent and an Enemy?

In today’s world, a subtle shift is occurring. The prevalence of sports and competitive events may be blurring our understanding of the difference between opponents and enemies. Here’s a clearer explanation of these terms in a secular context:

An opponent is typically someone who holds a differing viewpoint or goal and expresses disagreement or attempts to bring about change. This term is often used in competitive or debate scenarios. For instance, in a sports match, an opponent is the individual or team you’re competing against. In politics, an opponent might be someone who disagrees with a particular policy and voices their opposition.

Conversely, an enemy is usually someone who harbors hostility, has harmful intentions, or engages in adversarial actions against another. This term suggests a more profound level of conflict and hostility. An enemy isn’t merely someone who disagrees with or opposes you, but someone who actively aims to harm or undermine you. This could be in a personal context, like a personal feud, or a broader context, such as a nation or group at war with others.

So, even though we are surrounded by competition, it’s important to remember that an opponent is not necessarily an enemy. These are distinct concepts with different implications. As always, Lostpine is most interested in what our God has to say about this topic. As always, there is an excellent biblical example:

(Genesis 4:1-5)¹NIV New International Version Translations – “Adam made love to his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, ‘With the help of the Lord I have brought forth[c] a man.’ Later she gave birth to his brother Abel. Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.”

Abel was a shepherd, while Cain was a farmer. They both made sacrifices to God: Abel presented the best of his flock, while Cain offered some of his harvests. God favored Abel’s offering, which angered Cain. This is where they became opponents. They were competing for God’s favor, and Cain felt he lost this competition. The opposition escalated when Cain’s jealousy and anger turned into hostility. In a fit of rage, Cain lured Abel into the fields and killed him with a rock. This act of murder transformed their relationship from that of mere opponents to that of enemies. Cain’s actions, fueled by hostility, led to harm, a trait typically associated with an enemy. They started as opponents (competing for God’s favor) and ended up as enemies (with Cain harboring hostility and murdering Abel). It’s a powerful story that underscores the destructive potential of unchecked jealousy and anger.

Our responsibility, however, is to make sure that we are not complicit in the conversion of competitive spirit into hatred. How does that happen? Healthy opposition can escalate to feelings of jealousy, anger, and hatred due to a variety of factors, including:

• Insecurity: If a person feels insecure or inadequate in comparison to their opponent, it can lead to feelings of jealousy. They may perceive the other person’s success or abilities as a threat to their self-worth.
• Perceived Unfairness: If a person believes that their opponent has an unfair advantage or is being favored, it can lead to anger. This can be especially true in competitive situations where the stakes are high.
• Repeated Defeat: Continual loss or defeat can lead to feelings of frustration and anger, which can eventually turn into hatred if not addressed.
• Lack of Resolution: If conflicts or competitions are left unresolved, it can lead to lingering negative emotions. Over time, these can intensify into stronger feelings, like hatred.
• Misunderstandings: Miscommunication or misunderstanding can cause minor disagreements to escalate into more significant conflicts. This is especially dangerous in a world of media and communications that is heavily biased toward one side or the other.
• Personal Bias: We all have biases. However, if they are based on incorrect information, or even harbor a general lack of empathy (such is the case with bullying), a person is more likely to view opponents as enemies.

A healthy competition can be a source of motivation and growth when approached with sportsmanship and respect. However, left unchecked, negative emotions like jealousy and anger lead to hostility and harm to mental health. Senator Chris Coons is an American lawyer and politician. He has been serving as the junior United States senator from Delaware since 2010 and is a member of the Democratic Party. In the Senate, Coons is the chair of the Senate Ethics Committee. His other committee assignments include Appropriations, Foreign Relations, Judiciary, and Small Business and Entrepreneurship. He co-chaired the 2017 and 2019 National Prayer Breakfasts and co-chaired the weekly Senate Prayer Breakfast. This is what the senator told NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, July 14, 2024, after Saturday’s assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump:

“I’m an active member of our senatorial prayer group that tries to not just lower the temperature but to be role models to each other of how to respect each other as people, how to carry out the vision that President [Joe] Biden shared in his inaugural address, that we would see each other not as enemies, but as political opponents with different values and views, and we would speak about each other and act towards each other in ways that are more respectful and more supportive.” Coons lamented that “there have been too many close calls, in the time that I have been in Congress,” including the “tragic day when Steve Scalise was shot. My close friend Jeff Flake, a conservative Republican senator, came back to the Capitol. I’ll never forget standing with him, praying with him as he was in his baseball uniform, spattered with the blood of Congressman Scalise.”  ²https://www.newsmax.com/newsfront/chris-coons-donald-trump-conventions/2024/07/14/id/1172517/

(Psalm 100:3) – “Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.”

The concept of unity, especially as it is understood in the context of all people being God’s creation, can significantly impact our interactions with others in several ways:

• Respect: Recognizing that we are all part of one human family can foster a sense of respect for each other. We can appreciate the inherent dignity and worth of every individual.
• Empathy: Understanding that we are all God’s people can help us empathize with others, sharing in their joys and sorrows.
• Cooperation: The concept of unity encourages us to work together towards common goals, promoting cooperation and collaboration.
• Love and Kindness: As God’s people, we are called to love one another as He loves us. We must never forget that Christ gave His life so we may live! This can guide us to treat others with kindness and compassion.
• Peace: Unity can lead to peace, as we strive to resolve conflicts and disagreements in a manner that respects the dignity of all involved.
• Inclusivity: The belief in our shared identity as God’s people can promote inclusivity, encouraging us to embrace diversity and welcome all people.
• Service: Recognizing others as God’s people can inspire us to serve others, particularly those in need.

All nice words, but in more direct terms, Matthew 7:12 tells us, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Luke 6:31 reminds us simply to “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Paul writes in Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” And Jesus’ brother, James, writes in James 1:19, “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”

We conclude this study with our very first question, Are we Complicit? Have we willingly fueled our biases by where we get our facts from? Have we accepted the world’s truth and lies at the expense of God’s Truth? Have we let our differences in politics fester into hatred? Is our example in the world leading people back to God?

Contemplations

• What can you do to remove the hatred in our society?
  • Ideas to Explore: Spend less time on social media. Use a more diverse approach to researching information. Allow others to freely express their opinions, whether you agree with them or not. 
• What is the principal source of hatred in our nation today?
  • Ideas to Explore: Social media, news, politics, etc.? How can you help fix it?
• Do you think our nation will survive our political issues and divisions?
  • Ideas to Explore: If not, we will fight each other. Can we remain opponents who can live and prosper together?