An Open Door

Imagine leaving your back door open for 24 hours. Even if it's only opened an inch or two, there's no telling what would waltz into your house...spiders, snakes, mosquitoes, a stray dog, a deer or two, a stranger, a thief... Because once the door is slightly opened, it doesn't take much for it to be nudged open even wider.

I doubt any of us would choose to live with an opened back door--we're far too aware of the risks and dangers. Instead, we lock our doors securely to keep all the creepy and bad things out.

Yet how many of us unwittingly open a spiritual door to the enemy without realizing it?

Types of Doors

The Bible has a lot to say about doors. There is the door of hope and expectation (See Hosea 2:15), a door of mercy (See Amos 7:8), a door of persistence (See Luke 11:10), the door of our own lips (See Psalm 141:3), the narrow door we are encouraged to enter (See Luke 13:24), a door of faith (See Acts 14:27), and a door of opportunity (See 1 Corinthians 16:9).

An Accidentally Opened Door

Believe it or not, the enemy waits outside, hoping we'll leave our door open. He roams around looking for an opportunity to devour us (See 1 Peter 5:8) Seemingly harmless things can open the door to Satan, leaving us vulnerable simply because we're not aware the knob is turning. The number one way we open a door to the enemy is through sin, which crouches at our door, (See Genesis 4:7).

Some other potential (and more specific) areas that can open an unwanted door in our lives can include:
  • Music
  • Books
  • Movies
  • TV Shows
  • Immoral Activity
  • Drug Use
  • Anger
  • Unforgiveness
Closing the Door

Thankfully, if we're involved in anything that has opened a door to the enemy in our lives, all we have to do is genuinely repent to the Lord, ask His forgiveness, and ask Him to close the door. The good news is God is faithful to forgive us and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness (See 1 John 1:9), and the blood of Jesus is more powerful than anything.

The truth is, Jesus is The Door (See John 10:9). If we are wise, we will walk through Him and expel sin from our lives. Then we'll know that the door to the enemy will remain firmly closed and locked.



8 comments:

Kim said...

Julie-
I love how used an object--a door to bring awareness of how we let sin in our lives. A great word picture that will be easy to remember when sharing with others. Thanks!

Cheryl said...

I just recently went through a time when I opened the door to the enemy. It was so subtle really. From the world's standpoint, it was "little" or "nothing at all." But the open door gave room for the enemy to wreak havoc in my mind. Holy Spirit convicted me so much that I had to ask God for forgiveness AND confess my sin to a friend, say it out loud and be held accountable.

You're a blessing to encourage others to lock their doors.

Blessings!

Julie Gillies said...

I hear you, Cheryl. An open door isn't necessarily the result of some blatant, enormous sin. I think as we mature the Lord holds us more and more accountable to seemingly smaller and less consequential sin. Yet even a door opened only a crack is still an open door.

I'm just grateful that as we cooperate with His Holy Spirit, the doors to the enemy in our lives can be securely closed and locked!

Anonymous said...

This is a great reminder for me today, Julie! Thank you!

Hester's Heart said...

This is great Julie; I love you biblical insight to doors. Hester, :)

Jill Beran said...

So good Julie!! As I read your list, the door I leave open came to mind - my thoughts, all too often I let one doubt lead to another!! Exactly what satan wants...not a good thing!! I'd never thought of it as a door though, so thanks for the powerful visual!! Blessings, jill

Karen said...

Julie, that's a great visual! I find the sneakiest things come in the cracks. Thanks for those words.

Anonymous said...

Whew. I have been sooooo worried about doorways to the spirit world that were opened when I was young and STUUUUUUUPID!. This really makes me feel much better as we have been plagued recently with bad things that are just too much to be coincidental. I will be sure to SHUT all those BAD doorways immediately! THANKS!!!!

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