Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Don't Give Up Territory

...from my devotion today.
Ephesians 4:27 "Neither give place to the devil."

Leaders who start movements stop strongholds before they are embedded too deep within themselves.

Catalytic leaders are usually people who are inspiring, driven and passionate. This also can give place to an "addictive" personality. Look at all the great men and women of God who have done amazing things. A lot of them had "hang ups" or "fatal flaws."

Paul is writing to the Ephesian church and tells them not give place to the devil.
The word "place" is from the Greek word topos. This words means a geographic location or zone.

The word "devil" is from a compound Greek word diabalo. Dia means through and the word ballo can mean "to penetrate."

The enemy of our souls wants to find an entry point in our life to penetrate and then begin to take over territory.

Adam's first assignment was to keep look over the garden. He allowed an entry point to the enemy.

Here are some things that will allow entry points:
When we....
Refuse to let go of old hurts and wounds.
Refuse to let acknowledge what we did wrong.
Refuse to forgive others for what they did wrong.
Refuse to stop judging others for their grievances.
Refuse to admit we were wrong too.
Refuse to say, "I am sorry" when we are wrong.
Refuse to lay down "our rights" for others.

Let us protect our garden today. Mark off every entry point of bitterness, resentment, anger and unforgiveness. Mark off entry points of addiction. Mark off entry points of harmful relationships. Mark off entry points of time wasters.

Leaders who start movements protect their garden.