January 29 “Neither Give Place to the Devil” Ephesians 4:27-32
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:27-32)
We have all heard it said, “Give the devil an inch and he will take a mile!” The Bible is not talking about an inch, or even one half of a mile. God tells us, “Neither Give Place…” --- Give NO Place to Satan!! Why? Because the Devil does not want just a little place in your life. Satan is fully aware that if he is ever going to conquer a life, he must, first, establish a “Beachhead!” Christ warns us not to let him do this, “Neither Give Place to the Devil!” Satan is sly and tricky and cunning, and he uses many ways to enter our lives. He does it by false pretenses. He has deceived millions of people with the idea that he means no harm! The Bible clearly tells us that Satan is a “LIAR,” and a “Deceiver,” and a “Murderer,” and He warns, “Neither Give Place to the Devil!!!” Satan makes a big push through our minds. The Devil tries, every single day, to gain entrance through our minds. He knows that if he can place a few bad thoughts there, and get us to dwell on them, we will soon, act on these thoughts! DO NOT ALLOW SATAN TO DECEIVE YOU OR TO USE YOU TO HINDER GOD’S WORD FROM BEING PROCLAIMED AND SPREAD! When I observe what is going on in our world, and in my human thoughts, try to make some basic “Common Sense” of it all, I am left with the realization that Satan and his minions, are hard at work trying to alter your thoughts and to influence you to succumb to his LIES! Please listen to the Guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT! God Loves You and Satan DOES NOT, so, ignore all those thoughts and ideas that are not edifying to our Savior and do not Give and Room, in your life, for the “EVIL ONE!” Folks, this is the answer to the Evil that has beset humanity and our American society! We are to Stand Strong and Love our Neighbor and Share His Good News! May we Love, as God Loves Us, and Gave Himself up for Us! May we lay aside the Attitudes and Behaviors that would hinder our Service and would open a door for Satan, and dig deeper into the Word of God, and Exercise Spiritual Growth and Embrace the Responsibility to Serve Him and to Edify and Praise His Name! What God does with you, depends on what you do! It ALWAYS has; It ALWAYS will! Be Sure, Be Productive, and Continue to Share the Love of God with others! TO GOD BE THE GLORY! Stay Strong, Stay Focused… REMEMBER – THE BEST IS YET TO BE!