Give No Place To The Devil

 

Ephesians 4:27

When Paul says, “Neither give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27), he isn't saying that we should live in fear that the devil is constantly trying to enter our lives. The word "place" means an opening, opportunity, or foothold. Paul had just been talking about anger: “Be ye angry, and sin not.” Anger itself isn't necessarily sinful—it is a normal human emotion. The warning is about what we do with the emotion. If anger is continually fed, it can become resentment, bitterness, hatred, or destructive behavior. That's the “foothold”.. allowing something destructive to gain increasing influence over us.

This is especially important when we experience any destructive trauma or deep emotional wound. Being hurt, betrayed, abandoned, frightened, or mistreated isn't something we necessarily chose, and the emotional reactions that follow can be very human responses to what happened. Fear, sadness, anger, grief, and even intrusive thoughts don't automatically mean the devil is responsible. An unresolved wound can sometimes become fertile ground for destructive beliefs and behaviors" IE: I can never trust anyone,” “Everyone will hurt me,” “I hate them,” or “I'll hurt others before they can hurt me.” The original injury may not have been our fault, but continually feeding bitterness can give that injury power over the person we become. This happened to me because of an abusive childhood. My trauma turned into bitterness and hate. And I did not, could not, recognize the path it led me down.

The same principle applies to temptation. A temptation or unwanted thought appearing in our minds isn't the same thing as choosing sin. We can experience an angry thought, a sexual temptation, a desire for revenge, or another destructive impulse without surrendering to it. The important question is what we do next. Do we entertain it, nourish it, and eventually act upon it—or do we recognize where it is leading and choose another path? Scripture repeatedly warns us about allowing destructive things to take root because what we continually nourish can eventually influence our words, choices, relationships, and character. THIS IS SO TRUE.

So “give no place to the devil” can be understood very simply: don't give evil room to grow inside you. You can be angry without becoming hateful, wounded without becoming bitter, tempted without surrendering, and afraid without allowing fear to control you. What happened to you may not have been your choice, but you can choose what you allow that experience to produce in you. And that is key! The goal isn't to become frightened of the devil; it's to become aware of the doors we can accidentally leave open—and to close them by choosing truth, forgiveness, self-control, and what is laid before us through God' WORD. Personally, for me: if an awkward thought comes into my mind I know is of the flesh, I immediately quote THE WORD AGAINST IT--it is my defense and in like manner I will pray (praying aloud is even better since the words go out into the universe) .." I cast down every imagination, every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of GOD, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. I cast you out, now! I cast you down, now! in the Name of Jesus, the WORD of GOD.  I will replace and think on that which is true, honest, just, pure, lovely as instructed BY THE WORD. Those 2 powerful scriptures I just quoted (2 Corinthians 10:5 and Philippians 4:8) chase away and dispels any evil or dark thoughts immediately. James 4:7 promises, " Submit yourselves to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you." The Bible doesn't say Satan "walks away," it says he FLEES!!  Flee has a very specific and dramatic meaning compared to the phrase "walks away" or even "goes away" The word FLEE means to run quickly because of danger, fear, or a threat. ALL Scripture is a threat to demons, and when quoted, Satan and his demons must go! The WORD OF GOD IS GIVEN TO EVERY TRUE BELIEVING,FOLLOWER as a powerful shield over our minds Use it!

The WORD OF GOD is powerful.. a sharp 2 edged sword.. a weapon for the spiritual battles we face in this world that war against our souls (minds) and when quoted, Satan and his demons must go. THE WORD CAN:

Obliterate corrupt thoughts

Subdue lawless impulses

Censure malicious intent

Purge unjust thoughts

Rebuke wicked designs

Ward off corrupt influences

Shield the intellect from malice

Guard the conscience against vice

Annihilate impure, sexual thoughts

Eliminate harmful habits

Hebrews 4:12 tells us the WORD OF GOD is living and active! Let that sink in! It's alive and working in every believer as a defense against evil. It cuts into a persons mind and life to separate truth from lies, holiness from sin, spiritual motivation from selfish desires. It's like a masterful surgeon holding a sharp scalpel that goes in and removes the rottenness Satan plants there as a spiritual cancer. And not only can THE WORD OF GOD remove what should not be in your mind, it is also a healing balm, "life to those that find them and health for the flesh" (Proverbs 4:20-22) We were given a gift .. the Word of Life. Use it to fight your battles!

Until He Comes,

-Pat-