How can we avoid being "without gates or bars" in our spiritual lives? Setting the Scene: What Does It Mean to Be “Without Gates or Bars”? - Ezekiel 38:11 pictures a people “living without walls and without bars or gates”—totally exposed, an easy target for any invading force. - Spiritually, the same phrase points to believers who have let down their guard: no clear boundaries, little discernment, and minimal resistance to temptation. Why Spiritual Barriers Matter - Gates and bars protect what is precious. Proverbs 4:23 urges, “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” - An enemy exists. 1 Peter 5:8 warns, “Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion.” - Nehemiah wept when Jerusalem’s walls lay in ruin (Nehemiah 1:3) because broken defenses always invite trouble. Laying the Foundation: God’s Truth as Our Wall - Immerse yourself daily in Scripture. Psalm 119:11: “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” • Read systematically, not randomly. • Memorize key verses that confront your recurring temptations. - Measure every thought and decision against the Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Installing the Gates: Discipline and Devotion - Consistent prayer. Ephesians 6:18 calls us to pray “at all times…with all perseverance.” Prayer is the gate we swing open to God and slam shut on the enemy. - Worship and thanksgiving. These elevate our focus and reinforce who truly rules the city of our soul (Psalm 22:3). - Fasting. Periodic fasting sensitizes us to spiritual realities and weakens fleshly demands (Matthew 6:16-18). Reinforcing the Bars: Accountability and Community - Hebrews 10:24-25 urges regular fellowship; isolation rusts the bars. - Choose a small group or a trusted friend who can ask hard questions about purity, priorities, and motives (Proverbs 27:17). - Invite older, mature believers to speak into your life; their wisdom tightens any loose bolts. Watching the Perimeter: Vigilance Against Subtle Attacks - Filter media intake. Philippians 4:8 is the standard for what enters your mind. - Set clear relational boundaries opposite the world’s dating and friendship norms (2 Timothy 2:22). - Recognize the devil’s schemes (Ephesians 6:11)—he often whispers half-truths rather than blatant lies. Regular Maintenance: Confession and Repentance - Keep short accounts with God (1 John 1:9). Unconfessed sin is like a crack in the wall that widens over time. - Allow the Spirit to spotlight attitudes before they become actions (Psalm 139:23-24). - Celebrate grace, but never excuse compromise (Romans 6:1-2). Living Within Safe Walls: The Fruit of a Guarded Life - Peace replaces anxiety (Isaiah 26:3). - Strength for witness grows; a fortified believer can rescue others instead of needing constant rescue (Jude 23). - Joy flourishes because fellowship with God remains unbroken (John 15:10-11). By erecting solid walls of truth, installing gates of disciplined devotion, and reinforcing bars through accountable community, we refuse spiritual vulnerability and stand secure—ready, equipped, and fruitful in every season. |
    |