Text: Luke 4:1-13

Peace be unto you from the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, Christ Jesus.  Amen.

“Know thy enemy and know thyself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated.” 

This statement is attributed to Sun Tzu, a Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher who lived centuries before the birth of Christ. He is also credited as being the author of the treatise known as “The Art of War,” one of the most influential works ever on warfare.

Why mention this? Quote this? To show that even the unbeliever understands what we as believers should as well… lessons to be learned, words to be heeded by us as Christians, as believers in the one true Triune God and followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Lessons… words… literally played out in today’s Gospel lesson which is so perfectly appointed for this, the First Sunday in Lent. Such is not a coincidence, and neither is the choosing of the Hymn of the Day - “A Mighty Fortress.”  You and I wouldn’t need a fortress, live in a fortress, if we were without enemies and one in particular – the devil.

Make no mistake about it, we are engaged in spiritual warfare, in a spiritual war the likes of which we dare not underestimate, forget about or dismiss. That is so very clear in reading God’s Holy Word, both the Old as well as the New Testament as it explains the nature of such… of what has happened… is happening… and will happen. The big question is, do we understand this? The seriousness of it all? Given the fact that what is at stake is nothing short of eternal life.

“Know thy enemy” Know the one who is the great deceiver, the father of lies… the one who will relentlessly mess with your head and your heart… the one who loves to take that which is black and white and throw it into the gray… the one who will trample on the holy, the right and the pure and entice you into doing the same… the one who will seek to sow confusion and doubt into that which is certain and true.

What Satan tried with our Lord, do you think he is not trying with you… past, present and future... until you breathe your last? 

“If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” (Luke 4:3)

“If you, then, will worship me” all the world will be yours (Luke 4:7)

“If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down” from this high pinnacle (Luke 4:9)

My friends, as there is no “if” in regard to Christ - who He is and what is already His… no “if” regarding His divinity, His power and authority… no “if” in terms of His glory and majesty…

… so, too, there is no “if” regarding us and what God’s Holy Word has to say about us. Who we are is an open book… open… revealed… illustrated and explained on all the pages of Holy Scripture.

In many ways, this is sobering. But in other ways, far greater and grander… it is oh-so comforting.

Just as important as it is to know our enemy, so it is for us to know ourselves… that we are, by nature, sinful and unclean… that we are poor miserable sinners who deserve God’s righteous wrath both now in time and in eternity… for all eternity. Indeed, we deserve death.

And yet… we are also forgiven, redeemed, restored, washed clean, made new, made children of our heavenly Father and this in Jesus Christ… this, through Jesus Christ.

How important it is for us to know both our old self (the Old Adam, that is) and thankfully the new self (the New Man) in us by God’s grace.

How important it is for us to not let Satan, this world or our own weak flesh blur any or all of these important truths, divine truths, eternal truths. And this is only done as we remain immersed in God’s Word. The very same Word our Lord used in countering every one of the devil’s temptations.

What is it that St. Paul declares in our Epistle lesson? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (Romans 10b) Indeed, thanks be to God!

“Know thy enemy and know thyself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated.” Sadly it appears, Sun Tzu only knew the half of it. He didn’t know what Scripture reveals.

“Know thy enemy and know thyself, but greater still, know thy Savior; in all battles, you will never be defeated for He… Jesus… has conquered all! 

In Him, Christ our Lord, we have the victory over all things. Dearly beloved of the Lord, whatever you are going through now and whatever else may come in these our “forty days” here on earth… here in the flesh… it will all be resolved… it will all end and end well… end perfectly.

“Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place - the Most High, who is my refuge- no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”

Amen.

May the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts in Christ Jesus unto life everlasting. Amen.

“Know Thy Enemy” Rev. Mark H. Hein, pastor emeritus

3/9/25 Zion Lutheran Church, Naperville, Illinois