GIVE NO ROOM TO THE DEVIL
"Neither give place to the devil - Ephesians 4:27.
It suprises me sometimes to see how the devil takes advantage of situations in the lives of most believers.
The devil is the master of this realm (sense realm) and can take advantage of it if we aren't careful enough.
The above bible passage admonishes us to ensure that we give no place or room to the devil.
Paul was actually writing to believers,this is to make us understand that believers can be ensnared by the devil if not careful.
This therefore means many of his activities in our lives are actually allowed by us directly or indirectly which is not actually the will of God because it is clearly stated that we can keep him far from our lives,activities and even far away from our loved ones.
Looking at the passage contextually, the verse preceeding our anchor text talked about anger. We're permitted to get angry but not to sin in the process,anger should be well managed. I know many believe anger is a sin. But I tell you anger is not a sin in itself,the way you handle it or express it makes it become sin.
Some people lose it when it comes to anger,they are quick to forget who they are and express the anger in such a way that they look not any different from an unbeliever. If your anger lingers and become malice and other negative behaviour ,then it has become sin. Anger is just like every other emotion that was built into us by God our creator.
The devil can take advantage of your action if you're not sensitive enough when angry and that's why the Apostle Paul said "neither give place the devil". The reason is simple,he (devil) looks out for those frail moments in the lives of believers so that he can cause him to sin against God.Our anger is not meant to linger for long,it should be used to express displeasure right there and then in love.
I know somebody might be wondering, saying how can I express anger in love? Yes It is possible. Sometimes people's anger are pre - determined and it's just to punish the other party for no just cause in most cases. Maybe you should ask yourself why you get angry in the first place or so easily,is it to correct somebody or to punish. If it's to punish without any form of showing the person where he or she got it wrong then it's not done out of love but for the sake of punishment.
Jesus visited the temple and saw people misusing the temple,he flogged them and even turned the tables of the money changers not minding the consequences but one things was profound,He actually made them understood what they did wrong.
"12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves - Matt 21:12-13
He made them understand that they were erring already as they have turned the house of God into a market place. He didn't just shout and went violent for no just cause and He was also able to handle it as the bible did not record in any place that He fought or exchanged punches with any of those selling stuffs there,that would have mean that the devil has taken advantage but he was able to manage the situation.
Am sure he would have gathered them together and taught them the importance of the place they have been violating. That is love.
Even God chastises those He loves.
He somtimes show His displeasure toward some of our actions and inactions and even after doing that,He draws us close again and keeps loving on us.
We are to watch every action of ours even our words so that the devil doesn't take advantage. The devil is always on the watch to trap us and to make us sin against God just like the way He got Moses through anger,He made sure that Moses' labour for years to enter the promise land didn't materialize.
Dearly beloved,in all we do let ensure we give no room to the devil in all we do. Thanks for reading through.
I call you blessed.