WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
APRIL 12, 2024
TOPIC: GIVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO THE DEVIL
BY T. O. BANSO
“And give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27 English Standard Version).
I once had the privilege of visiting some prisons to interview some female prison inmates awaiting trial under a programme to get them legal assistance and decongest the prisons. Most of those who were facing manslaughter and murder charges never expected that their victims would die. They never intended to kill their victims but when they were angry and couldn’t control their anger, they attacked them with a knife, a pestle, a bottle, a sharp object, etc. Unfortunately, the victims died.
They were arrested and awaiting trial for killing their husbands, neighbours, friends, etc. Notwithstanding their claims not to have killed the victims intentionally, they lost their freedom and were facing an uncertain future.
A father recently brought out a gun and killed his son out of anger. Wives have killed their husbands out of anger; husbands have done the same. A pregnant woman was sentenced to death for killing her husband; she was delivered of her baby while in prison. How would she tell that child and her other children that she killed their father?
Someone hit another person in revenge but ended up killing the person. His intention was not to kill the person. Two women were fighting and one pushed the other. She fell and died. Cases like these are rampant – people who do not control their anger and take some actions that lead to the death of others. Regrets follow.
You probably are aware of such cases where uncontrolled anger put someone in trouble and the person began to regret because his action resulted in what he didn’t intend. This is what happens when people leave room for the devil. Ephesians 4:27 says, “And give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27 English Standard Version). The Apostle Paul was talking about uncontrolled or sinful anger before making this statement.
In other words, there is a relationship between uncontrolled anger and giving opportunity to the devil. This is how Ephesians 4:26-27 puts it: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil” (English Standard Version). This means that one can be angry and not sin. Also, one can be angry and sin. In the latter case, such a person does not let go of his anger; he stays angry all day; he goes to bed angry and allows the devil the opportunity to do whatever evil thing he wants to use the angry person to do against the person he is angry with. If you go to bed with anger, you shouldn’t be surprised if you have terrible dreams! You have opened the door to the devil. Paul’s warning in Ephesians 4:26 is a quotation from Psalm 4:4, “Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still” (New King James Version).
The Bible talks many times about the anger of the Lord. This is righteous anger – anger against sin. And Psalm 30:5a says God’s anger lasts only a moment or for a while. When you are angry, don’t let your emotions control you; control your emotions. Know when your anger should stop. No matter how angry you are, you should never do or say some things. Don’t give opportunity to the devil. If you give him an inch, he will take a mile. He will take charge and do whatever he wants to do through you.
This is how the Living Bible puts Ephesians 4:26-27: “If you are angry, don’t sin by nursing your grudge. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry—get over it quickly; for when you are angry, you give a mighty foothold to the devil.” The phrase “mighty foothold” means opportunity. The Contemporary English Version says, “Don’t give the devil a chance” while the New Century Version says, “Do not give the devil a way to defeat you.”
When you are angry, forgive. Unforgiveness, resulting from anger, gives opportunity to the devil and makes you take actions you will regret later. Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “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” (New International Version).
Don’t leave room to the devil by staying angry all day. If you don’t stop being angry, you are giving the devil a way to defeat you. Don’t hand over yourself to the devil. James 4:7 says to submit yourselves therefore to God; resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 says, “Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools” (English Standard Version). Are you a fool? Also, Proverbs 19:11 says, “A wise man restrains his anger and overlooks insults. This is to his credit” (Living Bible). Control your anger. Be a wise man, not a fool. Be slow to get angry and if you get angry, don’t sin; don’t continue being angry. Give no opportunity to the devil. Psalm 37:8 says, “Stop your anger! Turn off your wrath. Don’t fret and worry—it only leads to harm” (Living Bible).
Sinful anger has destroyed lives, marriages, relationships, enterprises, etc. Guard against it. Forgive anyone who makes you angry. Don’t let the sun go down with you still angry; get over it quickly. Give no opportunity to the devil.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner, and you cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, I repent of sinful anger. Devil, I resist you in the name of Jesus. I will not stay angry all day and give opportunity to the devil. I will not go to bed angry. I will not let the sun go down with me still angry. I will end my anger and forgive quickly. Holy Spirit, help me.
(For over 900 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
