Dealing with Adversaries

A Man After God’s Own Heart
Lessons from the Life of David

Part 4: Dealing with Adversaries

1. We won’t always know why someone dislikes us (1 Samuel 18:6-11)

Good leadership may make you a target (18:12-16)

Being loved/liked may make you a target (18:17-30)

2. There are a variety of ways in which people attempt to deal with adversaries

Sometimes we need a mediator (19:1-7)

Sometimes the best thing to do is avoid contact (1 Samuel 19:8-10, 27:1-4)

Sometimes the best thing to do is to heap mercy upon your enemies in hopes that they will become friends (1 Samuel 24, 26)

3. So what policies do you think work best?

Ignore/Avoid the Adversary

Confront the Adversary 1 on 1

Utilize a Mediator

Heap mercy on the Adversary