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  TWENTY-SIXTH DAY: 'IN THE PRESENCE OF MINE ENEMIES.'
  by J. Wilbur Chapman
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Summary: A Christian's presence of enemies is a sign of their friendship
with God, and the secret to victory is submitting to Christ.

Topics: "Spiritual Warfare", "Inner Victory"
Scripture References: Matthew 10:36, Romans 7:21, 1 Corinthians 15:57, Galatians 2:20

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DESCRIPTION
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J. Wilbur Chapman preaches about the presence of enemies in the life of
a good man, emphasizing that having enemies is a sign of being a friend
of God. He illustrates this with an old Roman custom where victorious
soldiers would feast in the presence of their bound enemies. Chapman
highlights that our worst enemies often come from within, such as
temper, pride, and unholy thoughts, but through complete submission to
Christ, we can experience deliverance and victory over them.

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CONTENT
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"THE good man has his enemies; he would not be like his Lord if he had
not. If we were without enemies, we might fear that we were not the
friends of God, for the friendship of the world is enmity with God. Yet
see the quietude of the godly man in spite of and in the face of his
enemies."

There was an old Roman custom, which may have prevailed even in David's
time, which would shed light on this part of the psalm. When a soldier
had won a victory and taken the enemy prisoners, a feast was made for
him, and the captives were bound to the pillars of the banqueting-hall;
and in their presence he was made to sit down and eat. This certainly
may be realized in your experience and mine.

A man's foes are they of his own household, and our worst enemies are
from within. With some it is temper; with others, pride; with still
others, unholy thoughts; and with many, the disposition to actual
outbreaking sin. But there is deliverance from all, and there may be so
complete a submission to Christ that he, becoming the master of your
life, will bind them all and cause you to feast in their presence.

SUGGESTIONS FOR TODAY.

1. Open your eyes to the fact that you are not free from danger. Sin is
not dead, and the old nature may be easily revived.

2. Remember that sin is mightier than your resolution or your will.
Determination not to sin is not the secret of victory.

3. Put your whole life in the undisputed control of Christ. He is the
secret of victory always and everywhere.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/j-wilbur-chapman/twenty-sixth-day-in-the-presence-of-mine-enemies/
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