“It’s your own fault.” Have you ever done something foolish and it brings negative consequences and someone tells you, “It’s your own fault”? You react in one of two ways. You acknowledge it to be true and apologize. Or you make excuses, placing the blame elsewhere, as did Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:12–13).
However, if you continue making poor decisions and doing foolish things, this leads to greater consequences that can affect your entire life. I am sure most of us have heard the cliché, “You are your own worst enemy.” Or, in speaking of other people, “they are their own worst enemy.” As most of us know, this means continual behaviour in such a way that causes problems for yourself. You are the cause of most of your problems or most of the bad things that happen to you. You really do not need someone else to ruin matters for you because you are perfectly capable of ruining things all by yourself. I am sure we may have heard countless sermons and Bible Studies on this topic.
Even those outside of Christianity use this cliché. An example of being your worst enemy is a man having an anger problem. He beats his wife and children—they leave him and he ends up in jail. He is very sad at losing his family and his freedom, but who can he blame? Himself—he is his own worst enemy.
This phrase was actually used by Ellen White over 100 years ago and was directed to a person refusing to acknowledge their sin. “You are your greatest enemy. Your wrong habits unbalance the circulation of the blood and determine [direct] the blood to the brain, and then you view everything in a perverted light. You are quick and high-tempered, and you have not cultivated self-control. Your will and your way seem right to you. But unless you see the defects in your character and wash your robe and make it white in the blood of the Lamb, you will surely fail of everlasting life. You love the theory of the truth, but you do not let it sanctify your life. You do not carry out in your daily deportment the principles of the truth you profess.” –Mind, Character, and Personality, vol. 2, p. 381. I hope none of us can relate to this person.
We can do more harm to ourselves than anybody else can. Any addiction that has negative results can only be blamed on oneself, whether it is a physical addiction (alcohol, tobacco, illegal substance abuse), or an addiction to unhealthy foods (loaded with preservatives, sugar or dairy), or addiction to modern technology (internet or TV abuse). Or, as in the example above, an emotional or mental addiction—uncontrolled, unacceptable, emotional responses and behaviours.
Not only your actions, but your thoughts can also be your own worst enemy. If you find yourself dwelling on negative thoughts about yourself and repeatedly putting yourself down, criticizing yourself, comparing yourself to other people who you think are perfect, your thoughts then are your own worst enemy. Perhaps you make a mistake and think it is so bad that no one else would have done that mistake in that circumstance. Maybe you think your mistake was the result of some permanent flaw you have. You negate everything you do, blowing things up as if your mistakes are the worst that anyone can imagine. Many people who are perfectionists often think this way. Division in the mind actually causes us to fight against our own best interests.
When we make bad choices we are, in reality, destroying ourselves.
This saying, “own worst enemy,” has roots in the Bible with the phrase regarding those that “oppose themselves.”
The Apostle Paul writes, “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.” 2 Timothy 2:24–25. Paul encourages gentle ministry to those who oppose themselves. To oppose oneself is to be one’s own worst enemy.
The word “oppose” implies division, disunity, or opposition, with sometimes destructive consequences. It destroys. The term, “oppose themselves,” in this verse means that the division is within self and destructive to self.
When you think of the concept of opposition, your initial thought is that opposition comes from another person (an opponent) who is trying to oppose you. Oppose, also, is the root of the word opposite. And, what is an opposite? An opposite is something at completely different ends of the spectrum, for example: black and white. Cold and warm, up and down, etc. This is basic English, which we all learned in elementary school. To oppose then would imply doing something opposite of what you should do or what you intend to do.
The Apostle Paul faced a lot of opposition in his life after his conversion. Wherever he went to preach the truth, his enemies (former brethren—the religious leaders) opposed him. It is ironic to see where the opposition arose. He wrote to Timothy about this group of people who, “oppose themselves” in the verse we just read. It was the religious leaders, who thought themselves perfect, and could do no wrong, who were the ones who opposed Paul and persecuted him. The reality, though, is they were really only opposing themselves as far as their standing before God was. Yes, Christians can oppose themselves. It has been done many times in the past. In the religious world there is seen a lot of unreasonable opposition. With so many Christian churches that cannot agree, with one Bible as their source of existence, one can only wonder how can they oppose each other so much, and in so doing are opposing themselves. Yet they do.
To oppose one’s self seems like an odd situation. If you think about it in real life, would anyone knowingly oppose themselves—whether at work, or in their study, or in any interactions with family or friends? Would you oppose yourself when offered a promotion or raise, telling your employer that you are not worthy of such honours and perhaps the position should be given to someone else? People would think you are clearly out of your mind. If you were sick, and were provided the best remedies, would you oppose the doctor and say that it is in
your best interest to remain sick? Again, you would be viewed as out of your mind. This may seem unreal. No one in their right mind would oppose themselves thus, but is this not what many unconverted Christians do in their lives? Are we immune from this danger in God’s church? By no means. One small sin puts us in opposition to God and to our own best interests.
Sister White counselled a brother in the faith, and she ended by saying, “All his life he has been trying to build himself up, to save himself, to preserve his own life; and he has lost his labor every time.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 389. This man was clearly living for himself only and thus opposing himself. Nothing seemed to go right for him. To work and think only of one’s self is to oppose self since true Christianity is seen in deeds of kindness towards others.
Those who refuse to live up to the truth they know will bring the penalties of opposition to Christ upon themselves. It is like shooting one’s self in the foot, or more seriously, suicide, because the law of God cannot be broken in the smallest detail without deadly consequence, unless it is repented of. Even with repentance, consequences may follow as seen in the life of King David. After he murdered Uriah, he lost four of his own sons to premature death (2 Samuel 11).
We also have the example of Jacob. He repented of his sin of deception but he also had to face consequences. “To gain the birthright that was his already by God’s promise, Jacob resorted to fraud, and he reaped the harvest in his brother’s hatred. Through twenty years of exile he was himself wronged and defrauded, and was at last forced to find safety in flight; and he reaped a second harvest, as the evils of his own character were seen to crop out in his sons–all but too true a picture of the retributions of human life.” –Education, p. 146–147. He thought he would gain something, but in reality, he lost a lot. By his sin, he was not defrauding his brother as much as opposing himself.
We are encouraged to: “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Ezekiel 18:31
Seems like a strange question. “Why will you die?” Who is Jesus addressing this question to? It is not to the heathen; it was addressed to the nation of Israel. His own people. Those who had been entrusted with the oracles of the law. Could you or I be in included in Jesus’ question?
If I were speaking to a roomful of people and asked the question, “Who here wants to die?” I wonder if even one hand would be raised. If I, on the other hand, asked, “Who wants to live forever?” I believe many more hands would be raised. We all want to live forever, I am sure of that, but are we living in such a manner that is pleasing to God? Are we living in a manner that we are opposing ourselves? We oppose ourselves if we live a life contrary to the will of God. One small sin places us in opposition to God and in opposition to our best interest.
We were born to live. We were created by God to live—to live forever. What changed God’s plan? Not God. You and I changed the plans. Every person who has lived on this earth has changed the plans. “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:1–2. The separation is our fault. We opposed ourselves when we sinned. We chose death.
Solomon had a clear understanding of this truth when he wrote: “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.” Proverbs 6:32. Although all sin leads to death, this verse addresses premeditated sin. This is very dangerous.
And also he wrote, “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” Proverbs 11:3. Any transgressor is his worst enemy. They destroy themselves.
And further he wrote: “Be not righteous over much; neither make thyself over wise: why shouldest thou destroy thyself? Be not over much wicked, neither be thou foolish: why shouldest thou die before thy time?” Ecclesiastes 7:16–17. The conduct of life determines destiny. Every choice to sin, whether small or large, has eternal negative consequences.
From the mountain, Jesus viewed the city of Jerusalem and wept. He wept, not only for the city, but for you also. “Christ foresaw that Jerusalem would remain obdurate and impenitent; yet all the guilt, all the consequences of rejected mercy, lay at her own door. Thus it will be with every soul who is following the same course.” –The Desire of Ages, p. 588
“Christ overlooked the world and all ages from the height of Olivet; and His words are applicable to every soul who slights the pleadings of divine mercy. Scorner of His love, He addresses you today. It is ‘thou, even thou,’ who shouldest know the things that belong to thy peace. Christ is shedding bitter tears for you. . . And every evidence of the grace of God, every ray of divine light, is either melting and subduing the soul, or confirming it in hopeless impenitence.” –Ibid., p. 588
“Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.” Proverbs 1:31. It is not an arbitrary act of God that removes the wicked from His presence. It is the impenitent themselves who have placed their wills at cross-purposes with the Source of life, so that His loving presence will be to them a consuming fire.
“The Jews had forged their own fetters; they had filled for themselves the cup of vengeance. In the utter destruction that befell them as a nation, and in all the woes that followed them in their dispersion, they were but reaping the harvest which their own hands had sown. Says the prophet: ‘O Israel, thou hast destroyed thyself;’ ‘for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.’ Hosea 13:9; 14:1. Their sufferings are often represented as a punishment visited upon them by the direct decree of God. It is thus that the great deceiver seeks to conceal his own work. By stubborn rejection of divine love and mercy, the Jews had caused the protection of God to be withdrawn from them, and Satan was permitted to rule them according to his will. The horrible cruelties enacted in the destruction of Jerusalem are a demonstration of Satan’s vindictive power over those who yield to his control.” –The Great Controversy, p. 35–36. Who would want to be at Satan’s mercy? It is a fearful thought.
“But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate Me love death.” Proverbs 8:36. These are very strong words. You hating the Lord equates with loving death. Very few healthy individuals would state they love death.
We know what happened to Pharaoh in Egypt when he hardened his heart. He clearly opposed himself. “This case is placed on record for our benefit. Just what took place in Pharaoh’s heart will take place in every soul that neglects to cherish the light and walk promptly in its rays. God destroys no one. The sinner destroys himself by his own impenitence. When a person once neglects to heed the invitations, reproofs, and warnings of the Spirit of God, his conscience becomes seared, and the next time he is admonished, it will be more difficult to yield obedience than before. And thus with every repetition. Conscience is the voice of God, heard amid the conflict of human passions; when it is resisted, the Spirit of God is grieved.
“We want all to understand how the soul is destroyed. It is not that God sends out a decree that man shall not be saved. He does not throw a darkness before the eyes which cannot be penetrated. But man at first resists a motion of the Spirit of God, and, having once resisted, it is less difficult to do so the second time, less the third, and far less the fourth. Then comes the harvest to be reaped from the seed of unbelief and resistance. Oh what a harvest of sinful indulgences is preparing for the sickle!
“When secret prayer and reading of the Scriptures are neglected today, tomorrow they can be omitted with less remonstrance of conscience. There will be a long list of omissions, all for a single grain sown in the soil of the heart. On the other hand, every ray of light cherished will yield a harvest of light. Temptation once resisted will give power to more firmly resist the second time; every new victory gained over self will smooth the way for higher and nobler triumphs. Every victory is a seed sown to eternal life.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 119–120
Those who have yielded to Satan, even with the smallest of sins, while professing to follow the Lord, oppose themselves and let worldliness invade their lives. If we behave inappropriately, dress in unseemly apparel, speak unbecomingly, partake in habits and practices that are detracting from our health, and attend those places and functions where Christianity seems completely “out of place”, then we are opposing ourselves. Even with the time we waste with good TV shows and Internet web sites, to the neglect of Bible study we are opposing ourselves. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 1 John 2:15
Yet, it is of the greatest importance that we oppose all sin and sinful tendencies. We are to crucify the flesh, which goes against every natural element in our body. The carnal mind loves sin, and we must oppose the carnal inclinations that the enemy tempts us with. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
“Those who are saved in the kingdom of God will have nothing of which to boast in themselves; the praise and the glory will all flow back to God. . . . There is no way by which the heart may be made holy, save through faith in Christ. . . . We have nothing, we are nothing, unless we receive virtue from Jesus Christ.” –That I May Know Him, p. 109
“Self is our greatest enemy, and day by day each must strive for the victory.” –The Signs of the Times, August 26, 1897. “No truth does the Bible more clearly teach than that what we do is the result of what we are. To a great degree the experiences of life are the fruition of our own thoughts and deeds. . . . Terrible is this truth, and deeply should it be impressed. Every deed reacts upon the doer. Never a human being but may recognize, in the evils that curse his life, fruitage of his own sowing. Yet even thus we are not without hope.” –Education, p. 146
No one likes to hear those words, “It’s your fault.” While this may be true, and you know it to be true, yet those words are not really words of comfort. Often when we tell people, “It’s all your fault”, it is done in a condemnatory manner. Either in anger, frustration or ridicule. The Devil also tells us, “It’s your fault.” We have to admit—the situation we are in is our fault.
But the promise is, as we just read, “we are not without hope”. What did Jesus do? To Mary, He said, “Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.” John 8:11. The Apostle Paul wrote: “But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;).” Ephesians 2:4–5. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
It is our fault, we are in this together. We all have opposed ourselves many times in our lives. Every sin, whether small or large, we have let go of the hand of Jesus and are choosing death. May God help us to not continue to oppose ourselves, but rather accept the blame and repent. Our sin nailed Jesus to the cross. Our sin has separated us from Him, but thank God He is reaching out for us still today. Let us take His hand, which is still stretched out to us in mercy, and no longer oppose ourselves. He can help you overcome every sin, and resist every temptation, “for why will ye die?” Amen.
Wendy Eaton