I recently came upon an interesting conversation on social media. A woman was describing her recent experiences with a ghost in her home. As I read through the shared stories, comments, and suggestions, I became very surprised by a large number of young women who not only found the interaction with spirits to be fascinating and exciting but also sought to communicate with them. There was so much advice suggesting sage, smudging, and cleansing of the original poster’s home. Nowhere, though, did anyone suggest prayer or seeking the Lord. I never saw the word demon mentioned. Everything I read was actually practicing something other than Christianity, and the interesting part was that many of the women were proclaimed Christians. I didn’t judge these women but rather understood them on a deep level. I wanted to tell them, “Don’t give the devil a foothold!” Having been in a place in my life personally as a Christian where I didn’t see a problem with dabbling in the occult, I knew it was an easy mistake to happen. I can think of many personal friends who believe in God, and even believe that Jesus died for their sins, yet still participate in activities that are not the best thing for their spiritual life and walk with Christ. And since this is such a widespread issue and misconception, I felt the need to share what I believe.
Don’t Give the Devil a Foothold
This will not be easy for many of you to read, but I pray you’ll receive my words with the love that’s intended. And then allow the Holy Spirit to speak to and convict you as necessary. Much of this post will be my personal opinion based on experience, but a lot of it is also based on scriptural truth and knowledge from my spiritual elders.
We don’t battle against flesh and blood in this world. I mean, I suppose we do, but the underlying truth of all we encounter is a battle against evil and good, against sin and righteousness, a battle where God’s Holy people are at war with the principalities and powers of darkness. The wonderful part of this whole thing is that we know how the story will end. We know that good will triumph evil, that Jesus has conquered death, and when we are reunited with Him, as His church and bride, the things evil brings us here on earth will be no more. Goodbye mourning, and farewell pain! It will be a wonderful eternity, but until that day we must battle evil. It’s important that we don’t give the devil a foothold.
We don’t fight alone. God fights for us, and His angel armies surround and protect His children. Satan cannot take over God’s chosen people, and as followers of Christ, we are protected from the devil conquering us. Satan has no real power. So, in his desire to thwart God’s plan, he attacks us the only way he knows how. Through deception. His lies cloud our vision to the truth of who we are in Christ. Satan attacks us by blindfolding us to the victory we have in Jesus. He builds lies upon lies until we cannot see the truth of God in us. This is why so many Christians trudge through life feeling defeated. They’re being blinded. Of note, I battle against lies as well. I fight just like anyone, especially when I forget my heritage as a child of my Father. I frequently have to come back to the truth, soaking in scripture, and also removing areas of my life where Satan and his demons could enter my life. Let’s call it a door.
One huge goal I have in life is to not leave the door open for Satan to come in with his lies.
Ephesians 4:27 and don’t give the devil a foothold.
So what are footholds, opportunities, or areas in our life where we can open the door for the devil to deceive us? The Bible says that “he who is not with me is against me,” and many hobbies, interests, or activities we participate in are not of God. Therefore they are against Him. They are areas that open our hearts, minds, spirits, and families to the demonic forces of Satan.
