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- Apr 25, 2006
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Sympathy for the devil
'... nor give place to the devil.' Ephesians 4:27
Unless you've ever sat down to 'sacrificed virgin and chips' you're probably wondering what today's verse is all about. Of course you'd never dust the old welcome mat out for the devil, so why is Paul spelling out the flaming obvious to the Ephesians?
Well, we can certainly make ourselves at home to our secret little habits. We can all get quietly comfortable with our sins. We can all become on first-name basis with certain temptations; all this is like bringing your granny's best china cups out for the devil and asking him to kick off his shoes in your living room.
So, how do you show him the front door? First, resist his invitations: '... submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you' (James 4:7 NKJ). As you submit to God, and live by the Word, the devil can't get a foot in your front door. 'Put on the full armour of God so that you can... stand against the devil's schemes' (Ephesians 6:11 NIV).
With truth, faith, peace, salvation and God's Spirit wrapped around you, the devil has nowhere to aim his accusations. 'The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God ... will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand ...' (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). The devil may dangle the bait but it's up to you whether you bite.
written by Bob Gass
'... nor give place to the devil.' Ephesians 4:27
Unless you've ever sat down to 'sacrificed virgin and chips' you're probably wondering what today's verse is all about. Of course you'd never dust the old welcome mat out for the devil, so why is Paul spelling out the flaming obvious to the Ephesians?
Well, we can certainly make ourselves at home to our secret little habits. We can all get quietly comfortable with our sins. We can all become on first-name basis with certain temptations; all this is like bringing your granny's best china cups out for the devil and asking him to kick off his shoes in your living room.
So, how do you show him the front door? First, resist his invitations: '... submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you' (James 4:7 NKJ). As you submit to God, and live by the Word, the devil can't get a foot in your front door. 'Put on the full armour of God so that you can... stand against the devil's schemes' (Ephesians 6:11 NIV).
With truth, faith, peace, salvation and God's Spirit wrapped around you, the devil has nowhere to aim his accusations. 'The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God ... will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand ...' (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). The devil may dangle the bait but it's up to you whether you bite.
written by Bob Gass
