Enmity is deep-seated hostility or opposition. It is more than dislike. It is active hatred. It is the state of being an enemy. The Bible uses the word to describe the conflict between good and evil. It describes the relationship between God and sin. It describes the relationship between people who hate each other.

Enmity entered the world through sin. Adam and Eve's disobedience broke their relationship with God. It broke their relationship with each other. It brought enmity into creation. God told the serpent that there would be enmity between his offspring and the woman's offspring. That enmity runs through the Bible. Cain killed Abel. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery. Saul hunted David. The conflict continues.

Enmity in scripture

• Genesis 3:15: enmity between the serpent and the woman.
• Romans 8:7: the mind set on the flesh is hostile to God.
• James 4:4: friendship with the world is enmity with God.
• Ephesians 2:16: Christ killed the enmity by his cross.
• Colossians 1:21: formerly alienated and hostile in mind.

Enmity is the problem. The gospel is the solution. Christ's death ended the enmity. It reconciled sinners to God. It broke down the dividing wall of hostility. It created peace. The enmity between Jew and Gentile was abolished. The enmity between God and humanity was removed. The cross is the end of enmity. It is the beginning of peace. Enmity is real. It is powerful. It destroys relationships. It divides communities. It separates people from God. But it is not the final word. The final word is reconciliation. The final word is love. The final word is peace. Enmity is the disease. The gospel is the cure.