How much attention do you pay to your adversary? For you wrestle not against flesh and blood, and he walks around as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. And you are not ignorant of his devices. You are a soldier in my army. What do soldiers pay more attention to, the actions of the enemy, or the orders of their commanders? Good soldiers rely on their commanders for intelligence matters, and trust them to know the big picture rather than figuring it out on by themselves and doing their own thing. If you trust me and follow me, you don’t need to pay much attention to your enemy. 

You live in a culture of intense individualism. Do you see this trait in the church as well? Is this message inherent in the gospel, or is it a cultural overlay on the church? I said that it is not good for the man to be alone, but this was not my final word on this matter. Bear one another’s burdens. Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together. No one lives or dies unto himself. You are your brother’s keeper. In as much as ye have done it unto the least of these, ye have done it unto me. Do you refer to your faith as a relationship with me?

When I was asked about my Kingdom, in the context of something to fight for, I said that my Kingdom is not of this world. There are not many governments called kingdoms anymore, but every country has a government that serves the same purpose. So you have dual citizenship. My rules for you include following the rules of your government, in so far as you are able, and blessed are those for whom this does not present a conflict. So you have a foot in both worlds, so to speak, and allegiance in two realms.

Some governments have rules against cruel and unusual punishment, but still put prisoners in solitary confinement. I said that it is not good for the man to be alone, and this is universal, and still applies. Yet a far greater number choose solitary confinement for themselves, or accept it without seeking community. Contact with other people is essential for well-being. How particular are you about whom you will associate with? Don’t be so fussy that you isolate yourself. While you are on your search for your community of like-minded people engage with the people you meet on the way.