As a believer, you have only ONE enemy. Yes, ONE! He is the Devil, Satan. He was once Lucifer, an angel of the Lord most high. But he fell from heaven because of his sin - pride (Isaiah 14:12-15). He is the father of all your physical enemies (John 8:44). If not for him, no human being would have an enemy or be an enemy to someone. His ministry is to kill you, steal from you and destroy you (John 10:10). This has been his primary vision, mission and goal since that fateful day he fell out from heaven. Therefore, whenever you perceive/know someone to be an enemy, rather than see that person as the one against you, see the devil as the REAL enemy. It is that enemy you must engage in warfare! Whatever reason(s) they have in making you an enemy is tied to what their father (the devil) has vowed to do to you. Therefore, how should you engage your enemy? What should you do?
Firstly, ask yourself: Am I a true believer? Am I really saved? A lot of people claim to be saved but in fact they are not. Growing up in a Christian household is not equals to being saved. Going to church and volunteering in your local assembly is not equals to being saved. You need to have made a conscious decision by the help of the Holy Spirit to believe with all your heart in the person, character and name of Jesus (Romans 10:9-11, Act 16:31). If you are truly saved, your spirit bears witness with God's spirit in you (Romans 8:16). If you don't have that inner witness in you, that witness that makes you certain that you are truly God's child, then you need to crosscheck your salvation.
Secondly, be fully armored! What does this mean? The verses below explains exactly what being fully armored means. It also shows its importance in engaging your enemy. If you are not fully armored, and you engage your enemy with your logic/understanding, you would most likely come out a casualty. Take time to read and meditate on these verses. The gems to engaging your enemy lies within.
11 Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.
13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].
14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) and (an upright heart),
15 and having strapped on your feet the Gospel of Peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news].
16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
Ephesians 6:11-17(AMP)
Lastly, resist the devil using the weapons of spiritual warfare (James 4:7, 2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Whatever jibes, vibes, arrows, attitudes or words that is thrown at you, resist them all. You don't resist by using physical weapons like guns, knives or other physical weapons, you resist your enemy by using the weapons from the verses you've read above. It is what brings your enemy captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). You are able to enforce the finished work of Christ over every area of your life - your marriage, finances, education, career, business, health and so on. Jesus has spoiled principalities and powers for your sake and made an open show of that victory (Colossians 2:15). He has made you more than conquerors through Him (Romans 8:37). This means you are not fighting a lost or hopeless battle! It means you don't have to be afraid of losing! You would win all the time!
As you continue in this glorious year, never lose focus of all Christ has done for you. Whenever the enemy comes with all his tactics and wiles, remember, you are a winner! Engage your enemy as a believer, not as one who has no hope.
Have a blessed week!