Ephesians 3-4 | Are You Letting The Devil Walk Into Your Home?

Our home is our first church. It's the anvil where life and faith are hammered out. If we are to be warriors, the battlefront is first and foremost in the battle for our families. But we better know the enemy.

If we are not careful—very, very careful—we can open up doors in our home for his advance. We can let him take advantage of us and gain access to the place we least expect it and do not want it. Paul reminds us of three areas that must be vigilantly watched to guard against Satan's advantage in our homes.

DECEPTION

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. (Ephesians 4:25)

Many homes are filled with deceit. It is not just what we say that may be deceptive, but what we do NOT say. The silence that is intended to deceive by not letting our family in on areas of need or concern or sin in our lives.

WARFARE QUESTION: Is there any area of deceit in your life or your home?

ANGER

Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

Apparently, unresolved anger, stored up daily, opens the gate for Satan. I don't understand why the Spirit singles this issue out so prominently, but He does. There is righteous anger that is legitimate, of course (which most of us rarely experience). But unresolved anger in our homes that is not repented of and cleared up with our family is like opening the front door in a neighborhood of thieves and going to bed with all your valuable treasures sitting in the foyer. It is an invitation to the enemy that he will not miss.

Overnight anger is a powder keg that will always manifest itself soon. Apparently, sleep doesn't resolve this. Confession, repentance, and restitution shut the door to the enemy … and we better do it before we pillow our heads, or our homes will have an unwelcome guest whose announced goal is to steal, kill, and destroy.

WARFARE QUESTION: Is there any anger in your heart towards anyone, especially your family? Is it the common habit to go to bed with that anger?

UNFORGIVENESS

But one whom you forgive anything, I forgive also; for indeed what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes in the presence of Christ, so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes. (2 Corinthians 2:10-11)

Satan loves harbored hurt. He doesn't particularly care where it comes from, whether the wound we are feeling is legitimate or a figment of our speculation (fueled by his innuendos). He just wants us to lay hold of a real or perceived wound and not let go. He prods us and tempts us to take up an offense for others. He encourages us to let it go on, gaining strength in our souls, burrowing down until there is a deep taproot of bitterness that he knows will bear fruit.

WARFARE QUESTION: Is there anyone in your life, and especially in your home, that you have not completely and deliberately forgiven? Is there any harbored hurt that your nursing?

The devil is good enough at his job without our compliance. Step up in warfare and be a discerning, faithful leader. Don't get the devil an easy play.

Father, thank You that You have given us what we need through Your Word and indwelling Spirit to defeat the enemy. Make us aware of his schemes, particularly in our homes. Make us vigilant warriors who allow the enemy no foothold.