I am a Jesus pusher!!! Jesus climaxed this illustration with the presentation of an ADVERSARY (Matthew 5:25-26). The picture of an adversary describes a person dominated by anger. He is a person who lives in the attitude of murder. Adversary comes from the Greek word “antidikos,” a compound word consisting of “anti” (against) and “dike” (a cause or suit of law). This word is the extreme picture Jesus gives for those who live in anger and will not reconcile. Beyond reconciliation, this dominating state of anger cannot be satisfied until “you have paid the last penny.” There is no compassion, understanding, or mercy.
This state is an expression of the demonic nature of self-centeredness. The adversary sees only his need and desires. He does not consider the need of anyone else except as it affects his desire. The adversary is blinded to the long-range consequences of the cancer of self-centeredness. This state is the opposite of God’s heart, the heart of reconciliation. We must be filled with God’s nature! The call again comes clearly to embrace our helplessness. If Jesus does not fill us, the result will always be to become an adversary. This result is a fitting climax to this first illustration. No one has “being an adversary” as their childhood dream. It is simply the natural result of self-sourcing the helpless spiritual realm of our lives. Self contains so few resources it must fight, protect, and guard every amount of self-sourcing. Only in the abundance of the resource of Jesus can an individual relax and love. There is no threat of scarcity in His presence. I must be filled with His heart. I am a Jesus pusher!!!