When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. Leave no [such] room or foothold for the devil [give no opportunity to him]. ~Ephesians 4:28-27 AMP
In No Ground, Evangelist Evelyn “Rev Ev” Carter Spencer said, “Jesus gave no ground to the devil because the devil had no ground in Him” for Jesus said in John 14:30, “the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.” Thus, we must not give the enemy of our souls any ground.
We give ground to the enemy when we allow him to occupy space or place in the inner me—our hearts, which is the seat of our emotions. Thus, we give him ground—opportunity, power, and occasion for acting in our flesh—to use us against one another.
Because we all stumble, fall, and offend in many ways (James 3:2), offenses will come. But Jesus warns us in Luke 17:1, saying, “woe to him by or through whom they come.” So, we must “be sober, be vigilant; because” our ”adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” Thus, we must “resist him, steadfast in the faith” (1 Peter 5:8-9).
We resist him by taking this to heart: “Be quick to listen, but slow to speak. And be slow to become angry, for human anger is never a legitimate tool to promote God’s righteous purpose. So this is why we abandon everything morally impure and all forms of wicked conduct. Instead, with a sensitive spirit we absorb God’s Word, which has been implanted within our nature, for the Word of Life has power to continually deliver us” (James 1:19-21 TPT).
God wants your heart, for at the center of your heart is your ear. For He knows that if He has your heart, he has your ear. When He has your ear, you are quick to hear the Spirit and understand what He is saying (Rev 2:7).
So, be wise. Get the principle thing fit for every occasion: wisdom. "And in all your getting, get understanding" (Pro 4:7). Show that you are wise by bridling "your tongue when your heart is under pressure." Allow your understanding heart to keep "you cool, calm, and collected, no matter what you're facing" (Pro 17:26 TPT).
Don't be the enemy's fool-tool any longer by being quick to anger, quick to speak, and slow to listen. Instead, give him no ground by leading with your ears to get the understanding you need. Then, follow up with your tongue and let anger straggle way back in the rear (James 1:19 MSG).
Give the enemy no ground in your speech by watching "the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps,” knowing that “each word is a gift” (Eph 4:29 MSG).
Give the enemy no ground in your emotions by making "a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:31 MSG).
Give the enemy no ground in your inner me by being R.E.A.D.Y.:
R — Recognize and release risks and rebellion by letting go of every wound that has pierced you and the sin you so easily fall into (Heb 12:1).
E — Evaluate the enemy’s encroachment and eradicate his foothold by calling on God, allowing Him to show you what’s fenced in and hidden (Jer 33:3).
A — Adjust your attitude to align with the Anointed One by demolishing every deceptive fantasy that opposes Him and breaking through every arrogant attitude raised in defiance of the true knowledge of God. Like prisoners of war, capture every thought, insisting it bow in obedience to the Anointed One (2 Cor 10:5 TPT).
D — Determine to do what’s due by responding to the Word of Truth you hear, letting it become like poetry written and fulfilled by your life (James 1:22 TPT) and declaring, “I have set my face like a stone, determined to do His will” (Isa 50:7 NLT).
Y — Yield your will to His will in prayer for prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare as you pray hard and long for your brothers and sisters, keeping your eyes open and each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out (Ephesians 6:18 MSG).
When you do, you will find that the enemy has no opportunity, power, or occasion to manipulate you because he has NO GROUND in your inner me!
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your Word that exposes the thoughts and intents of my heart so the enemy has no ground in my inner me. Help me recognize and release risks and rebellion in my life. Reveal the enemy’s strongholds so I can evaluate his encroachment to eradicate any footholds.
Help me demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes You and break through every arrogant attitude that rises in defiance of the true knowledge of You. Help me to capture every thought like prisoners of war, insisting it bow in obedience to the Anointed One so that I may align my attitude with His.
I declare NO GROUND for I am determined to do what is due. Therefore, work in me the will and do according to Your good pleasure so that I may respond to Your Word of Truth so that it becomes like poetry written deep within my heart, flowing out on the pages of my life!
In Jesus’ Name, Amen
