Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. (KJV)

Do you still have doors open to the enemy?

Part of your assignment is to look for the enemy and learn how he works in your life. Matthew 6:13 is a God ordained request you should make every day. “Lord, lead me not into temptation and deliver me from the traps the devil has set”. There are traps the enemy sets to lure you in. Some of them you don’t have any knowledge of. There are also traps the enemy sets because you have given him and open door. You know God can deliver you from both because He is King of Kings and has all power. You just have to make sure you want to be delivered. Are you asking Him to deliver you because you know you should or is your request sincere? How do you know? You have to be willing to allow God to shine a light on your heart. You also have to be willing to allow Him to be Lord of your life, not just your savior and deliverer. When the traps are your pet peeves or favorite things to do; your response to the Lord must be, “Have Your way”. Don’t make excuses for yourself.

Romans 13:14 Instead, wrap yourselves in the Lord Jesus, God’s Anointed, and do not fuel your sinful imagination by indulging your self-seeking desire for the pleasures of the flesh. (TVT)

If you are unsure of the doors, you opened to the enemy, diligently seek the Lord, He will show them to you. Please remember, the devil uses the same tactics on you as he uses on everyone else.

1 Corinthians 10:13a No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]. (AMP)

He just customizes them for you. However, there are certain behaviors that open a door for the enemy, no matter who you are.

• Holding grudges

When you hold grudges, you justify and embrace sin; and you come into agreement with the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27 Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. 27 And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness]. (AMP)

• Walking in unforgiveness

When you don’t forgive, you prevent your own forgiveness.

Mark 11:25 Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others]. (AMP)

• Being self-serving

When your goal is to get what you want, when you want, don’t compromise God’s standards in the process.

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].” (AMP)

• Straddling the fence

When you are wishy-washy, you are of no use to the Father.

Revelation 3:15-16 I know all that you do, and I know that you are neither frozen in apathy nor fervent with passion. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 But because you are neither cold nor hot, but lukewarm, I am about to spit you from my mouth. (TPT)

The Father will show you how to resist the temptations and/or how to move yourself out of the way.

1 Corinthians 10:13b But God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]. (AMP)

He wants to shut any open door. When He shuts them, be careful not to open new doors.

Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:

Father God, I remember hearing the preacher talk about favorite sins. I realized I was making excuses so I could continue to do what I wanted to do. Thank You for leading me to a time of reflection and examination with You. You showed me my favorite sins, and the pathways and doorways I opened in my life. You showed me though I was praying for Your protection; I kept putting myself in harm’s way. Though I was asking You to deliver me; I kept bringing those same things back into my life. You love me so much. I remember, at that moment, I repented. That was the last time I needed to ask You to forgive me for and deliver me from those things. Thank You for revelation and understanding. Thank You for deliverance. As I continue to evaluate my life; I thank You in advance for deliverance when I need it. Thank You for closing every door I opened. Thank You for leading me away from temptation, and leaving the enemy without a new way in…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here: