For years upon years, my mom always gave me the same piece of advice over and over again. I knew what she meant, but I didn't know how important it was until much later (over the last few years). It's not the typical wear clean underwear or wash behind your ears type of advice. It was more important. It was my mom looking out for my spiritual welfare. There are still so many times now that I hear her voice saying it to me....
Jessica, don't give Satan a foothold. Say what? A foothold. Dictionary.Com defines a foot hold as this- "a secure position, especially a firm basis for further progress or development" Hm. Further progress or development. If there's anything I've learned about sin over the last year is that it consumes. Have you ever heard the phrase- "give him an inch and he'll take a mile"? That is giving Satan a foothold. It's like trying to contain a wildfire. It's nearly impossible. Once you open the door to him a little, you've given him a foothold. Once he's got that foothold, he'll keep knocking, keep pushing, keep persuading until he's through the door. Unfortunately, in my life, I've not always heeded this advice and I've given him many footholds. There are times when I didn't just give him a foothold, but I've swung the door wide open and practically invited him in. There are so many typical examples of this I could give- Someone who's prone to addiction or a recovering addict exposing him or herself to the object of addiction (ie- a recovering alcoholic going into a bar for a Coke). Pushing sexual boundaries farther and farther (when you're not married). Experimenting with drugs, alcohol, dangerous activities, etc. The list could be endless. What is a foothold in my life may not be in yours and vise versa. I'll give you a personal example.... country music. Because of some of the choices I've made in my life, there are many memories and emotions that I connect with country music. When I listen to country music, those memories and emotions start flooding back in. If I allow myself to sit and feel those emotions, to relive those memories, I'm opening that door. A very dangerous door for me. Do I like country music? Yes, I do. Is it a wise choice for me to listen to country music? No, it's not. Every time I made the choice to flip that station on, I'm giving Satan a foothold. I don't want to beat a dead horse here. But I do want to share this advice with you, just as my mom has shared it with me. (And you better believe I'll share it with my kids, too!) Stay as far away from the door as possible. Don't even walk the line. The closer you walk to the line, the closer you get to giving Satan an opportunity to introduce and "further progress or development" of sin in your life! Don't give Satan a foothold today! Happy Friday!
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HEY, I'M JESSICA!
Christian. Wife. Mommy. Daughter. Pastor. Friend. Saved.Redeemed. Beloved.
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