The Psalmist David deals with this challenge as no other inspired writer of scripture. He is known as a man “after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22). It was God Himself who said this of David. No doubt but his treatment of his enemies helped earn him this title. David cried out, “Deliver me, O LORD, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips. Selah. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings” (Psalm 140:1-4). When men rose up against him, and it happened often, David fled to the Lord to fight the battle for him. He learned that his enemies were in a greater straight in God’s hands than in his own. He also knew that His God was perfect and there would be no misjudgment in God’s action. We may often defend ourselves, guilty or not guilty, but our Father is omniscient and knows every thought or word.

David further wrote, “The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set grins for me. Selah. I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD. O GOD the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle. Grant not, O LORD, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah” (Psalms 140:5-8).

Pride is almost always the source of attacks by any one person against another. The humble person would rather be wronged than to wrong another. David knew that God alone could rightly judge this Pride and stop it before his enemy was completely destroyed. When you are under attack, nothing will destroy you quicker than your desire for the destruction of your enemy. The moment you can forgive your enemy and do so by the grace of God you are free to continue your walk with God even at a greater level of spirituality. There is no sweeter victory in your heart than when you have refused to descend to the same level as your enemy and have done so with Christ’s grace working in your life.

The greatest moment of David’s God-like character was manifest as he fled Jerusalem before his own son. As David and his retreating company passed a certain village, a man named Shimei cursed David following along a hill overlooking the path the King was traveling. One of David’s servants said, “Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head” (II Samuel 16:9b). The great things that God had taught David about his response to his enemies served the King to act according to the following words. David said, “Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him. It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day. And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust” (II Samuel 16:11b-13).

This is the Biblical order for God’s saints when enemies rise up against us. To do otherwise is to injure your own soul. The Apostle Paul put this message from David in New Testament words. “Dearly Beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:19-21).

Always remember that every attack against you is contrived for your destruction. It will either overcome you or you will overcome it. Jesus plainly stated that His coming was not to condemn but to save. Any effort to condemn another person is evil. That includes condemning your enemy. “The Battle is the Lord’s” and you will serve yourself greatly by never forgetting it.