SHUT THE DOOR ~ KEEP THE DEVIL OUT

WORD OF WISDOM

DOOR ~ Paul speaks of a "door opened" for the spread of the gospel (1 Corinthians 16:9; 2 Corinthians 2:12; Colossians 4:3). Our Lord says of himself, "I am the door" (John 10:9). John (Revelation 4:1) speaks of a "door opened in heaven."

Source: Easton's Bible Dictionary

I like that song; it is cute and has a good beat to it. It is also true. How then do we shut the door and keep him out. Prayer and standing on the word of God. Try it, believe it, it works every time.

Any sin we have in our life opens the door for the devil to sneak in. That is why we need to stay in prayer at all times, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. We also need to confess our sins the minute we realize it, 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. LJG and I laugh at my typing when we are IMing each other, my spelling is awful. I am always typing so fast that I spell Christ chrsit or God god, and immediately I am typing Lord I am so sorry. It is funny but not a laughing matter, I do not want to give the devil any headway in my life. Heck I am not perfect and anything I know about I want the Lord’s forgiveness.

There are times I search myself to see if there is anything I need to confess. Of course I always find something and then I go to the Lord with it. It is nice to know it is not only forgiven but also forgotten.

There are also times when the Lord will tell me “you know that was wrong.” OUCH, that hurts, and yes I want it corrected. I am glad the Lord loves me so much that He will bring to my attention something that I have overlooked.

LJG and I have both at times had to tell the other something that we knew the other needed to be told. There have been times we have hurt each other’s feelings, but as we have grown together in the Lord, we know that the correction is not to hurt but to love.

Unforgiveness is another way that the devil will get a foothold in our life’s. Unforgiveness is a sin, it is a big one. Not only are you not forgiving someone else you are holding on to bitterness. The Bible tells us plainly that we will be forgiven as we forgive others. Mat 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

I have heard this expression many times and believe it to be so true. “Do you think they are losing sleep over you?” Probably not, if anything they are laughing at what they did to you or enjoying the thought of whatever it was they did. And you, well you are letting it stop you from living your life as God intended. Even worst you are letting the devil use it to bring you down.

Now I know you would never willingly open the door and invite the devil in, Matthew 12:44 Then he (unclean spirit) saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Friend that is exactly what you are doing. You have given him a written invitation without even knowing it. When we keep sin and unforgiveness in our life that is exactly what we are doing.

Pray this pray with me: Jesus I know that You gave Your life for me and that You want me to live my life to the fullest. I know that I am not perfect, there was only one and that was You. Lord I ask today that You open my eyes to any sin or unforgiveness I might have in my life and reveal it to me. I ask forgiveness of ____________ and also I ask You to give me forgiveness where I do not feel it. I speak these words knowing that You Lord will do the rest. I put into Your hands the matter of ______________, I am asking you to remove this spot from my heart. Lord if it comes back to remind me of itself I know that I only have to tell it that it was given to You and You have paid the price. In the Mighty Name of Jesus, Amen

Now tell the Lord thanks and give Him praise for a mighty work He is doing in your life.

God Bless,

rECj/LJG