GIVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO THE DEVIL.

Ephesians 4:22-27. ESV.

22 To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 And to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 And give no opportunity to the devil.

We are commanded here to actively dismantle the “old man, ” our old sinful nature. We are to willingly submit to God renewing our minds and strengthening the new man within us Do you know that “lusts” (fleshly desires) are “deceitful” and lead to a corrupt conversations or evil desires? Which means that our conducts or lifestyle must be put under check not to allow the tempter, the devil to have a grip on our deceiptive minds.

13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. (James 1:13-16)

How can a man give the devil an opportunity to gain a stronghold in his life the bible says by yielding to your lustful desire some of which she mentioned in our life and begin to torment the vessel he occupies.

What it then means is that, If you give Satan control of one little part of your life, he will soon take over the whole thing. You give him a foothold into your life, and he turns it into a STRONGHOLD A Place of battle field and begin to operate as he likes. For example Anger; the bible says Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,
For anger rests in the bosom of fools.

But any negative emotional attitude is also an opportunity for the devil to get a stronghold in your life. If you fill your life with worry, he has gained a foothold in your life. If you fill your life with resentment, he’s gained foothold in your life. If you allow guilt to turn into shame , bitterness or unforgivable spirit Satan has a foothold in your life already

Apostle Paul said the best way to deal with these negative emotions is to act on them immediately. He says, “Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil” . You must make the choice to deal with it right away as it sets in your mind Otherwise, the negative emotions will fester in your heart and give Satan the opportunity to establish a foothold in your life.

Unforgiveness is another cancer that allows the devil a stronger hold in the mindset . Jesus Christ considered it as a HINDERANCE to prayers that was why He said “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop”. (Mark 11:25). AMP.

The scripture made it clear for us to know how best we can overcome the temptation of escaping from the wrath of the evil consequences of allowing the devil a stronghold or a foothold in our lives “To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, And to be renewed in the spirit of your minds”.

The bible says we should not be conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Roman 12 : 2.

Unless one adopts to renew his/ her mind, will continue to walk in defeat, struggle, and confusion, as they desire to experience a Spirit-led life but do not understand how or what to do in seeing such life manifest. This is the predicament of most believers who live lives of religious obedience and obligation yet not having the real Spirit-led power within them because their minds are without renewal and as such become frustrated to wait, hope, and beg God to change their emotional will power.

Renewing your mind is to align your thoughts with the words of God in as much as we are ready to demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Taking a thought captive literally means to capture or conquer that thought as you identify it and compare it to God’s Word. Does this thought agrees with God’s promises over my life or not? If not then I cast it away; rejecting its influence in my life. Learn to replace every negative emotions which will give the devil opportunity to get a grip of your mind with God’s promises from His Word.

Thanks for Reading, May we be impacted as we read Amen. Remain Blessed .

✍️ Mrs Blessing I N Onugha ❤️