How To Remove The Foothold!
“Be angry, and do not sin, do not
let the sun go down on your wrath,
nor give place to the devil."
Ephesians 4:26-27
When rock climbers ascend the sheer face
of a mountain, they look for the tiniest place
to lodge their toes—a place that gives them
the opportunity to make progress. Climbers
refer to such places—a ledge, crack, or out
crop—as a foothold.
Place, opportunity, and foothold are English words
used to translate Greek topos in Ephesians 4:27:
“Nor give place [opportunity/foothold] to the devil.”
Foothold calls to mind the expression, “Get a foot
in the door”—when someone takes advantage of
an opportunity for advancement.
How might we give the
devil an opportunity
for advancement in our life? By not dealing
with anger quickly or by letting anger fester
into bitterness.
Paul says to deal with unrighteous anger by
the end of the day. Jesus expressed
righteous
anger on occasion when defending God but
never unrighteous anger. Unrighteous anger
will only lead to sin if not resolved.
Unrighteous anger is self-centered;
forgiveness is others centered.
When
we forgive, we take away the devil’s
opportunity to stir up trouble.
"He who can
suppress a moment’s
anger may prevent a day of sorrow."
Unknown
