Eph. 4:27 nor give place to the devil. NET: Do not give the devil an opportunity.
Eph. 4:25-32 - Six sins that give the devil a beachhead, and why:
-- vs 25, LYING: John 8:44, Phil. 4:8
* When you believe the truth, then the Holy Spirit can work in your life; when you believe a lie, then the devil can work in your life. God's truth builds up the body, but Satan's lies tear it down.
* Since God is the God of truth, and His Word is truth (Jn. 17:17), and His Spirit is truth (1 Jn. 5:7), it is impossible to be in fellowship with God while you are harboring a lie (Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira).
-- vs 26, ANGER: Rev. 12:12, 17; Mt. 5:21,22; Ps. 97:10; Prov. 8:13; Rom. 12:9
* Satan is angry - with God and His creation (us).
* Anger gives Satan a foothold in our lives; and as lying and murder go together, so do anger and murder.
* Love good, hate evil; but remember that real righteous anger is clouded by our sinful nature - to be angry with the right person to the right degree at the right time for the right purpose and in the right way is NOT EASY.
-- vs 28, STEALING: John 10:10; Luke 16:10
* Satan is a thief, esp of our souls.
* Stealing little things is no different than bigger (pencil or payroll check).
* Work to give to others, not take from them.
-- vs 29, FILTHY SPEECH: Eph. 5:4
* Does it build up or tear others down? Need healthy humor that does not bring hurt.
* If Satan can get us to think and talk about sin, then he will have an easier time tempting us to commit sin!
-- vvs 30-32, UNFORGIVING SPIRIT: Mat. 18:15-17, 5:23-26
* The only remedy is forgiveness from the heart when someone hurts you.
* Reconcile quickly; even if the other does not forgive you, do your part to defeat Satan.
-- vs 31, SLANDER: 1 Tim. 3:11; Titus 2:3; Exo. 20:16; Prov. 6:19; Gal. 6:1; 1
Pet. 4:8; Prov. 10:12; Rev. 12:10
* Love does NOT ignore or condone sin; love means we avoid putting it before the world and capitalize on a brother's fall to make ourselves look better.
* Satan is the slanderer and accuser of the brethren; when we do the same, we allow the evil one to work through us instead of God.