The phrase “give no place to the devil” comes from Ephesians 4:27, which reads “and give no opportunity to the devil.” This verse falls within a larger passage where Paul is giving practical instruction to Christians on how to live righteously and resist sin.
In the surrounding context, Paul urges believers to “put off” the old self of sin and “put on” the new self of righteousness (Ephesians 4:22-24). He then provides some specifics on what this looks like in practice – don’t let falsehood, sinful anger, stealing, unwholesome talk, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and slander be part of your life anymore (Ephesians 4:25-31).
After listing some sins to avoid, Paul adds this warning in verse 27: “and give no opportunity to the devil.” This statement implies that by engaging in these sins, we give the devil openings to gain influence and a foothold in our lives. The word translated “opportunity” here is topos in Greek, meaning a place or location. So we could translate Ephesians 4:27 as “and give no place to the devil.”
What does it mean then to “give no place to the devil”? Here are some key implications from this verse:
- Sin gives the devil an opening in our lives. When we engage in sins like falsehood, anger, stealing, bitterness, etc., it gives the devil room to operate. These behaviors provide access points for Satanic influence and attacks.
- Closing off opportunities to sin repels the devil. Resisting temptation and proactively eliminating sinful habits and thought patterns denies the devil any openings in our life. This is what it means to “give no foothold” or “give no place” – shutting off avenues for the enemy.
- Living righteously guards our hearts. Putting on the new self of righteousness (Ephesians 4:24) and walking in holiness keeps the devil at bay. Light and darkness cannot exist in the same place. As we let our lights shine, we ward off the powers of evil.
- Spiritual warfare requires vigilance. This verse reminds us that we have an adversary who is scheming against us. We must be vigilant, proactive and intentional about eliminating unrighteous behaviors from our lives. Spiritual laziness gives the devil a foothold.
- God empowers us to overcome temptation. We should not become paralyzed by fear of the devil. Through Christ, we have everything we need to resist evil and walk in freedom. Relying on God’s strength and spiritual armor allows us to overcome.
Old Testament background on giving no place to evil
The concept of not giving a foothold to evil has its roots in the Old Testament. Here are some relevant verses:
Psalm 119:113 – “I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.” Hating what is evil and clinging to God’s law protects us from compromise with sin.
Psalm 101:3-4 – David says “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless…No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house.” Removing even the potential for sin defends against evil.
Proverbs 4:14-15 – “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.” Staying off sin’s path denies access.
Isaiah 33:15-16 – The one “who walks righteously” and rejects extortion/bribes “will dwell on the heights.” Righteous living brings security.
These verses demonstrate the consistent scriptural message of rooting sin out of our lives to prevent evil from taking hold.
How do we “give no opportunity to the devil” in practical daily life?
While the principle is clear, what does actively “giving no place to the devil” look like in everyday life? Here are some practical tips:
- Examine your thoughts and behaviors – Ask God to reveal any areas of weakness, sin or compromise. 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns, “if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall.”
- Submit areas of temptation to God – James 4:7 says “Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Present your struggles to God and rely on His strength.
- Fill your mind with truth – Combat lies and accusations from the enemy with scripture. Ephesians 6:17 says God’s word is our sword of the spirit.
- Pursue fellowship – Isolation can make us vulnerable to attack. Hebrews 10:24-25 commands meeting together for mutual encouragement.
- Walk in step with the Spirit – Galatians 5:16 promises that walking by the Spirit protects us from carrying out sinful desires.
- Immediately reject tempting thoughts – 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ.
- Limit harmful media exposure – Set boundaries on what we watch, listen to or expose our minds to (Psalm 101:3).
- Engage in regular prayer and fasting – Mark 9:29 notes that some evil spirit’s only respond to prayer and fasting.
- Put on the full armor of God – Ephesians 6:10-18 gives instructions to put on God’s full armor every day.
Biblical examples of giving an opportunity versus giving no place
Looking at positive and negative examples can further illustrate this principle of “giving no opportunity to the devil.”
Negative Examples – Giving Place to the Devil
Eve in the Garden (Genesis 3) – Eve listened to the serpent’s lies, doubted God’s word and ate the forbidden fruit. This opened the door to sin, death and demonic influence.
Cain’s jealousy (Genesis 4) – Cain’s jealousy of Abel let sin take root, culminating in murdering his brother.
David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11) – David’s adultery and murder opened up avenues for ongoing devastation and warfare in his family.
Judas’ greed (John 12:6) – Judas’ unresolved greed and theft created an opportunity for Satan to enter him and betray Jesus.
Positive Examples – Giving No Place to Evil
Joseph fleeing temptation (Genesis 39) – When tempted to adultery, Joseph fled immediately, giving no opportunity to sin.
Job’s integrity (Job 1-2) – Job was blameless and upright, so Satan had no avenue to attack him apart from external calamity.
Jesus’ use of scripture (Matthew 4) – When tempted in the wilderness, Jesus combatted every lie and attack with God’s word.
Paul’s self-discipline (1 Corinthians 9:27) – Paul disciplined his body to master it, so he would not be disqualified from ministry.
These examples reinforce that we must be proactive and vigilant in eliminating any avenues that allow sin or temptation to take root in our lives.
Giving no place to the devil in key areas of spiritual warfare
Looking at how this principle applies across different facets of spiritual warfare can provide further insight into implementing it in practical ways:
1. Our Thought Life
- Take every thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5)
- Focus our minds on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable (Philippians 4:8)
- Ask God to guard and renew our minds (Psalm 51:10, Romans 12:2)
2. Our Words
- Speak truth and edification to build others up (Ephesians 4:29)
- Avoid lies, slander, angry speech, bitterness, gossip, etc. (Colossians 3:8)
- Speak scripture aloud to combat lies from the enemy
3. Our Habits & Behaviors
- Avoid compromising situations and relationships (Proverbs 22:3)
- Develop godly habits and disciplines
- Cut off behaviors that open the door to temptation
- Commit to living righteously with accountability
4. Our Spiritual Walk
- Put on the full armor of God daily (Ephesians 6:10-18)
- Pursue intimacy with God through prayer, fasting, Bible study
- Stay alert and watchful through regular self-examination (Matthew 26:41)
Applying the principle of giving no place across these areas allows us to withstand evil in all facets of life.
The blessings of resisting the devil by giving him no place
What are the blessings and promises for believers who actively resist the devil and give no place for his schemes? Scripture points to several benefits:
- The devil will flee from you (James 4:7)
- You will become mature and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:4)
- You will receive the crown of life God has promised (James 1:12)
- You will dwell in the shelter of the Most High and rest in His shadow (Psalm 91:1)
- God’s angels will guard and protect you (Psalm 91:11-12)
- You will tread on the lion and the cobra (Psalm 91:13)
- You will be rescued and lifted up (Psalm 91:14-15)
- You will be strengthened, firm and steadfast (1 Peter 5:8-10)
Standing firm against the devil’s schemes positions us to walk in greater freedom, protection and blessing from the Lord.
FAQs on giving no place to the devil
What is the devil’s primary tactic?
The devil is the father of lies (John 8:44). His main tactic is deceit and deception. He tries to distort truth and confuse people. 1 Peter 5:8 describes him as a roaring lion looking for someone to devour through lies and temptation.
How does the devil try to gain access to our lives?
The devil looks for toeholds – small areas of compromise, unconfessed sin, unforgiveness, isolation, ignorance of scripture, etc. Like water seeping through cracks, he exploits any openings available. His goal is to exert influence on our thoughts, emotions and behaviors.
Can a Christian be demon-possessed?
No, once we place our faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit resides within us (1 Corinthians 6:19). Since light and darkness cannot coexist, the Holy Spirit will not inhabit the same space as a demon. However, if we give the devil openings through consistent sin or compromise, he can oppress and harass us.
What is the devil’s destiny?
The book of Revelation says Satan will ultimately be thrown into the Lake of Fire at the end of the age, joining the antichrist and false prophet (Revelation 20). God will one day fully purge creation of evil, and believers will dwell with Him for eternity.
How long will the devil rule the earth?
The Bible does not specify an exact timeline, but Revelation 20 notes that Jesus will imprison Satan for 1,000 years during His millennial reign on earth. After a brief release, the devil will then face final defeat and judgment. Until then, we must actively resist his schemes.
Conclusion
Giving no place to the devil requires vigilant, proactive resistance against anything that could open doors to spiritual oppression and attack. By examining our thoughts, words, and behaviors, pursuing intimacy with God, and clothing ourselves in His armor and righteousness, we can stand firm and give no opportunity for the enemy to gain a foothold in our lives. Living in the power of the Holy Spirit and clinging to Jesus Christ gives us victory over satanic influence as we walk in freedom and blessing.