…and give no opportunity to the devil.
Ephesians 4:27 (English Standard Version)
Opportunity:
... a foothold. (Tree of Life Version)
…a chance. (Contemporary English Version)
…a place. (World English Bible)
… room to work. (The Voice)
…control. (Worldwide English)
…a way to defeat you. (International Children’s Bible)
…an opening. (New Catholic Bible)
…a spot, location, a place, region, seat, an opportunity.
(Strong’s Concordance Greek 5117)
Opportunity doesn’t allows knock. Sometimes, it just creeps in; especially, when it comes to the devil. What gives opportunity to the enemy? A door that is cracked open when we don’t do what is right.
Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
Genesis 4:6-7 (New International Version)
Beware! Don’t give an opening to the devil.
Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The devil is poised to pounce…
1 Peter 5:8 (The Message)
“In your anger do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
Ephesians 4:26 (New International Version)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 (English Standard Version)
Don’t give the slanderous accuser, the Devil, an opportunity to manipulate you!
Ephesians 4:27 (The Passion Translation)
When you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:21-32 (New International Version)
My dearest brothers and sisters, take this to heart: Be quick to listen, but slow to speak. And be slow to become angry, for human anger is never a legitimate tool to promote God’s righteous purpose. James 1:19-20 (The Passion Translation)
Give no opportunity to the devil. Close the door!
Anger: a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility, that is shown through rage, aggravation, fury, irritation, even an underlying resentment (a slow burn), holding a grudge, displayed through actions, or words released.
And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].
Ephesians 4:27 (Amplified Bible)
Prayer
Father,
Unaware, I have cracked open the door to the enemy. I have allowed him entrance through nurturing anger. In repentance, I close this door that I have opened. I seal it shut by the Blood of the Lamb; declaring, “Access denied devil,” in the Name of Jesus.
Deliver me, Lord, from every component of anger, in the Name of Jesus, breaking the curse of it from my bloodline. By Your grace, replace all ungodly aggravation and resentment with holy compassion, kindness, and love. Let Your peace reign within my heart as I release all underlying irritation and every residue of anger in to Your hands, forgiving others as in Christ You have forgiven me.
Today, Father, you have made me aware, that sin is crouching at my door, and it desires to have me, BUT I MUST RULE OVER IT, in word and deed - continually alert!
I choose to submit myself to you, and resist the devil. In doing so, he must flee!
Empowered in Christ, I have been made aware. I close the door that was cracked open when I did not do what was right, and cease any opportunity for the enemy to enter.
No longer will I allow the slanderous accuser to slither in and manipulate me.
Not today!
The enemy will find no opportunity here!
Access denied devil, in Jesus’ Name!
Amen!
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