Daily Devotional
Don’t Give the Devil an Opportunity
“But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him.”
1 Samuel 16:14
November 20, 2021
Ponder This
Notice that the tide began to quicken, the pace started to flow. When a person is self-determined, and then after a while becomes stubbornly disobedient, the next step is swift degeneration. By the time today’s verse took place, sin was sweeping Saul along. Now he was caught up. Now God’s Spirit had left him. Now an evil spirit had come upon him.
Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “‘Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” What does that mean? When we have sin in our lives that has not been confessed or repented of, we give the devil a foothold. We give the devil a campground. We give the devil a foul nest in which he can hatch his eggs. We give the devil a place in our lives. That’s exactly what Saul did.
- What are some different ways we might give the devil the opportunity to attack in our lives?
- Where might you currently be in danger of giving the devil a place in your life?
Practice This
Ask the Lord to reveal anywhere you might be giving the devil an opportunity in your life. Confess any sin that comes to mind and ask the Lord to give you freedom in that area so you won’t give the devil a place in your life.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
