Don’t Open the Door

“Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. I speak as to wise men; you judge what I say. Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? Since there is one bread, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one bread. Look at the nation Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar? What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not stronger than He, are we?” 1 Corinthians 10:14-22

The believer is firmly if reluctantly engaged in spiritual warfare with Satan and his demons. Although you are no longer under the devil’s mastery, you are not immune to his plots and schemes. The battle is not one of possession, for you belong to Christ alone, but for control. It is not one of destiny, for your future with Christ in heaven is secure, but for daily victory.

What the adversary seeks is an opening he can build a spiritual stronghold from and influence your thoughts and actions for evil. You can be giving demonic forces unnecessary inroads into your life by participating in questionable activities - watching movies overloaded with sensuality or horror, reading materials laced with raucous references to a carnal lifestyle, listening to music with lyrics promoting lewdness and rebellion.

This is not an attempt to be legalistic. Anything that usurps Christ’s role as Lord in your life, competing for your devotion and time, can likewise be fodder for demonic activity. The important issue is to examine your life, asking God to reveal any area of thought or deed that could give Satan and his powers opportunity for a damaging influence.

“For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe...On earth is not his equal.” -Martin Luther