A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Chris Musgrove of Future Now)
Scripture for the Day – September 13, 2019
Ephesians 4:26-27: Be angry, and sin not: don’t let the sun go down on your wrath 27 Don’t give place to the devil.
If you’re a child of God, the devil really can’t touch you unless you give place to him. How do you give place to the devil? Verse 26 says that one way we give place is by holding on to anger. I believe he’s never actually holding you, but he gets hold of whatever you have hold of, like anger, unforgiveness, or anything that gives the devil a place, an opportunity, room, or a foothold.
The devil grabs on to whatever you’re holding onto and as soon as you let go of it, the devil loses his grip on you. He’ll try to convince you to pick back up whatever it was that he had hold of in your life. Because he knows if you do, he’s got a way in. But you must resist him. That’s why the Bible says in James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” God’s Word Translation says, “Don’t give the devil any opportunity [to work].” The Weymouth Translation says, “and do not leave room for the devil.” The Amplified Bible says, “Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him].”
Someone once asked me, “How do you resist the devil?” I told them “By submitting to God!” By resisting the devil, you are submitting to God. Submitting to God is submitting to His Word. The devil can’t stand the Word of God and he will flee from it every time. If you don’t let go of what you’re holding on to, it can become a stronghold.
II Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; …”
Submitting to God is bringing every action and thought into captivity to the obedience of God and His Word.
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. (2 Corinthians 2:11)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13)
