Intruders

 “Neither give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:27)

A Cyprus tree sprang up at the edge of the pond. When it reached eight feet in height, intruders found it lovely and tasty. Beavers, entering the pond through the overflow drain, downed it, not once, but a second time after it grew back. It was not until we found the lodge and destroyed it that the pond is beaver-free today. The determined tree now stands tall and beautiful once again.

The same is true in our Christian walk. Intruders find an entryway into our lives (sometimes of our own making) and undetected, hunker down, planning to stay awhile. Sometimes we are unaware of their presence until we see the havoc and destruction they cause. What are the ways of entry for the unwelcomed company? The apostle Paul, addressing believers and followers of Christ, states what we must rid ourselves of to grow as Christians (vs. 17–32). But in one area, he is explicit: anger that leads to sin. Ungodly anger is a foothold for the devil to gain access to your life. Once he has a toehold anywhere, he strives to tear life down.

The struggling tree could not defend itself against its adversary, but its regrowth was the tree’s responsibility, and it had the tenacity to thrive. We know from Jesus’s teachings on how we should live and what we must do to live pleasing to Him. We must destroy “the lodge” of the enemy, rid ourselves of everything that gives place to him, and live righteously for the One who gave His all for us.