August 30 Thought for the day...keep the door closed

I like de-fanging the devil. The church has been his greatest cheerleader giving him all kinds of accolades and power. We blame him for our own shortcomings. We give him power and authority greater than the Holy Spirit, and he loves it. Paul challenges that thinking with this verse...

"and don't give the devil a chance." Ephesians 4:27

We never have to give in to the devil as long as we choose not to give him a chance or as the KJV says, "give place to the devil." If you are a born again believer, the Spirit of the living God lives in you and "greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world" (1 John 4:4).

Wow, that is freedom and accountability all at the same time. Freedom to know that the devil has no right to control us. Accountability to know anything we do that is not God-honoring and blessing our family in Christ is our choice.

The phrase "a chance" means more like giving him a part, as in a region, an area, or a zone. We have specific areas in our lives. We have relationships, jobs, finances, health, and much more. I am sure you can think of other specific "zones" in your life. It is easy to get hurt, spend foolishly, take our job or health for granted. We often open the door for the devil if we...

- Refuse to forgive
- Dabble in things with our health that are not good for us
- If we complain about our jobs or bosses too much
- If we develop destructive patterns with our finances
- If we refuse to lay down our rights for others

All of these things and other attitudes like them, swing open the door for the enemy to destroy us. Allow the devil to run roughshod over our minds, and hearts is our choice. Walking in forgiveness, love, grace, mercy, and truth enables us to keep the door closed.

I have failed in this area, I have given a foothold to the enemy, but I also found the key to freedom. Learning to say "I'm sorry," learning to forgive, and most of all, above all things, love! I encourage you if as you are reading this, you are thinking of something, in particular, pray about it, apologize, forgive, and love. If they accept it, you have healed a wound if not, God will still bless you for reflecting His heart!