“…and do not give the devil a foothold.” Eph 4:27 (NIV)
I asked one of my dear pastor friends, Dr. Bob Anderson, this question: Why are so many pastors falling? He responded, “When you have temptation without opportunity, you are safe. When you have opportunity without temptation, you are safe. But when temptation and opportunity meet, you are in trouble.”
To give the devil a foothold is to give the devil an opportunity. It is to give the devil an occasion to act. It is giving the devil a platform in your life to propel his agenda. You give the devil a foothold by allowing him room to occupy. When you give him an inch, he takes a mile. His goal is not to make you swim away from God. The devil just wants to get you to drift and to float down lazy river. He knows that the undercurrent will cause you to subtly drift from God.
In the context of Ephesians, don’t allow your anger to simmer. Neutralize your anger before you go to bed. If you allow your anger to swirl, then you have given the devil an opportunity to operate. Don’t give him a foothold.
- “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 (NIV)
- “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)
- “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” Eph 6:11 (NIV)
Don’t give the devil any real estate. Post a sign that says to the devil, “You are trespassing on my Father’s territory!”
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care