Footholds

Footholds

Ephesians 4:25-32

Ephesians 4:25-32

25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.

26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

27 nor give place to the devil.

28 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.

29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:27

27 and do not give the devil a foothold. The New International Version

1. The Power of Footholds

A. Note the Underestimation of Small Seeds!

See how great a forest a little fire kindles!—James 3:5

B. Note the Underpreparation of Saints’ Spirits!

A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep

So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and your need like an armed man. –Proverbs 6:10-11

C. Note the Undeniability of Satan’s Strategy!

Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made…—Genesis 3:1

2. The Progression of Footholds

A. Step #1: The Surrendering of a Foothold

Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house. And from the roof he saw a woman bathing, and the woman was very beautiful to behold. –2 Samuel 11:2

B. Step #2: The Securing of a Stronghold

Then David sent messengers, and took her; and she came to him, and he lay with her—2 Samuel 11:4

C. Step #3: The Snowballing of a Stranglehold

And he wrote in the letter, saying, "Set Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die.”—2 Samuel 11:15

3. The Prevalence of Footholds

A. Footholds of Compromised Priorities

"While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."—Acts 5:4

B. Footholds of Compromised Purity

A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others.—Isaiah 35:8

C. Footholds of Compromised Personality

… they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful,—Romans 1:29-31

4. The Prevention of Footholds

A. Spiritual Perception:

Recognize Devil’s Schemes!

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "An adversary shall be all around the land; he shall sap your strength from you, and your palaces shall be plundered."—Amos 3:11

B. Spiritual Power:

Rise in Divine Strength!

Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. –Micah 7:8

C. Spiritual Passion:

Resist, Resist, Resist in the Daily Struggle!

Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.—1 Peter 5:9