Verse of the Day 6/28

Verse of the Day 6/28

Ephesians 4:26-27

　"In your anger do not sin":　Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,　²⁷and do not give the devil a foothold. New International Version (NIV)

This past Sunday Pastor Bob referenced verse 27 in his sermon. Earlier in the week I had read a devotional from David Jeremiah on the same verse. Both of them quoted the NIV for the same reason.

 

David Jeremiah writes, "In the New Testament topos is translated "place," "locale," or "opportunity." When it occurs in Ephesians 4:27, it means not to give the devil a place or opportunity. The New International Version translates that verse as "Do not give the devil a foothold." That works—a "foothold" being a "place" where a climber can insert his foot when scaling a cliff. A foothold was needed by soldiers seeking to gain entrance to an enemy stronghold or fort. …. Keep short accounts; fill in the footholds; erase the sinful places from the map of your heart. Give the devil no opportunity. If the emotion of anger appears, make sure it has a godly purpose."

The picture of a rock climber is a good one. You've seen the rock climbing walls in shopping malls and other places. Even kids can scale the walls if there are enough "footholds". You place your foot on one level, reach up with your hands to pull yourself up to the next level. That's what Satan does with the sin that takes a foothold in our lives. He secures that level and then reaches for the next. A mountain climber drives a stake in to secure that foothold. It is not easily removed, neither is sin in our lives.

There can be many things in our lives that can be a foothold in our lives, places where and from which Satan has an opportunity to expand his influence and control in our lives. They can be addictions to drugs or alcohol, they can be things such as our speech or uncontrolled anger, or unwillingness to forgive. If not dealt with they can lead to other things.

The way to squash these things, the way to eliminate them, remove those footholds, those stakes, is to turn them over to Jesus, count on His grace, grace that is greater than all our sin, and Satan's footholds.

Marvelous grace of our loving Lord,
Grace that exceeds our sin and our guilt!
Yonder on Calvary's mount outpoured,
There where the blood of the Lamb was spilled.
• Refrain:
  Grace, grace, God's grace,
  Grace that will pardon and cleanse within;
  Grace, grace, God's grace,
  Grace that is greater than all our sin!
Sin and despair, like the sea waves cold,
Threaten the soul with infinite loss;
Grace that is greater, yes, grace untold,
Points to the refuge, the mighty cross.
Marvelous, infinite, matchless grace,
Freely bestowed on all who believe!
You that are longing to see His face,
Will you this moment His grace receive?

"All sin can do is threaten us with death, and that's the end of it. Grace, because God is putting everything together again through the Messiah, invites us into life—a life that goes on and on and on, world without end."  Romans 5:21 The Message

Blessings,

Mike

Ephesians 4:25-29 The Message (MSG)

25　What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ's body we're all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

26-27　Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don't use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don't stay angry. Don't go to bed angry. Don't give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

28　Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can't work.

29　Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

　

 

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