“The way of obedience keeps us safe.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 25, 2024
. . . and give no opportunity to the devil. (Ephesians 4:27)
I was recently speaking with a friend and she said, “We give the enemy opportunity in our lives through sin and through sin, we open doors for the devil to influence us without realizing it.”
Her comment reminded me of Ephesians 4:27 in which Paul warns believers not to give Satan any openings into their lives. Different biblical translations reveal—along with the original Greek New Testament language—what this means.
In the New International Version, we are warned not to “give the devil a foothold.” In the English Standard Version, we are told “give no opportunity to the devil.” And the King James Version says, “. . .nor give place to the devil.”
The Greek word topon reveals how we get these different translations because it means, “opportunity” “place” or “room.” Paul is warning us to keep Satan out of every aspect of our lives.
According to gotquestions.org, “He [Satan] should not have any place in our lives because he is an enemy of God and wants to destroy God’s people.” (see John 8:44 and 1 Peter 5:8)
Giving place to the devil is clearly not something that anyone wants to do, but as my friend mentioned, we give him access to our lives often unknowingly when we don’t obey God and when we sin.
Perhaps God has been warning you not to do a particular something, but you have been ignoring Him. It’s not that God is trying to ruin your fun. It’s not that He wants you to obey just to obey. He is convicting you because He wants to protect you. He is warning you because your obedience is serious business.
But when we sin, we open the door for the Adversary to come against us. When we follow Jesus, we are protected. When the Lord tells us to obey, we shouldn’t hesitate. We shouldn’t argue with Him or make excuses. If we do, we may be stepping into the enemy’s camp where we can be attacked. We are giving him place and opportunity. We are giving him a foothold.
In his commentary on Ephesians, Matthew Henry wrote:
“We give place to the devil, when the first motives of sin are not grievous to our souls; when we consent to them; and when we repeat an evil deed. This teaches us that sin, if yielded unto, lets in the devil upon us, we are to resist it, keeping from all appearance of evil.”
Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” One way that we win this unseen battle is by doing what Jesus asks us to do. The way of obedience keeps us safe.
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
Prayer
Lord, I will be quick to obey you and quick to do what you ask. I want to be kept safe, and I know you want me to be kept safe too. Thank you for helping me win against evil by following you. Amen.
Application
Is the Lord asking you to obey Him? Do what He is asking today.
Related Reading
Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:6; Hebrews 12:9
Worship Resource
Upper Room Sessions–Bria Jean: Teach Me to Obey
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