Insightful Musings on the Scriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

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September 11, 2012

Good morning, dear ones.

When I remembered that today was 9-11, I turned on the radio just to see what kind commentary there would be. Sure enough…they’re talking about it. That was eleven years ago. I sure have memories. And it’s good to remember that we have enemies far more sinister than radical terrorists. Let’s talk about that…below.

Kaden is here next to me as I do this typing. He and Nicholas were delivered at 6:30am. I’ll get him to help me take the garbage out to the side of the road after I move this message out.

My list of goals and objectives before the rains hit us with seasonal force is huge. I need to keep reminding myself that I can only do what I can do. Duh.

Blessings on your day. It sure is a pretty one right now as I look out this window. Time to make some pretty progress.

Love, Dad/Ray.

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11 September
Ephesians 4:17-5:2
“Do not give the devil a foothold.” Ephesians 4:27

Most of us enjoy, to one degree or another, watching a demonstration of intense competitive athletics. While living overseas, we had a few pro basketball games between the Celtics and the Lakers on VHS tapes. I remember watching them over and over. Those guys are hot. I reason that they’re all so good on both offense and defense that no one is going to win by just speed and skillful ball handling alone. The name of the game seems to be fake, surprise, and distraction. The opponent is watching intensely for a slight twitch or glance in the other direction to afford the opportunity for the break or pass that can move the ball in for a goal. In like manner, we believers have an opponent (more than professional) that is just as intent on finding in us any flicker of distraction or error that can provide him opportunity to catch us off guard and move in for a goal. The adversary has a lot of slick tricks and moves up his sleeve. After all, he has chalked up a lot more experience than any of us. Sadly, there are far too many, even believers, who do not seem to have a clue as to what’s happening.

I’ve extracted from the reading (and beyond—dipping also into tomorrow’s reading) what I might call SEVENTEEN FOUL AND FOOLISH FOOTHOLDS TO FEAR AND FORSAKE. I’ll make the list without commentary. Isn’t it possible that any one of these, if accepted or accommodated by a believer, could serve as an opportunity for the enemy to move in and gain the upper hand (or the upper foot?) in our lives and inflict some form of damage? After all, “Anyone…who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins” (James 4:17).

1. Falsehood (4:25)
2. Anger (4:26)
3. Stealing (4:28)
4. Laziness (implied) (4:28)
5. Unwholesome talk (4:29)
6. Grieve the Holy Spirit (willful disobedience) (4:30)
7. Bitterness (4:31
8. Rage (4:31)
9. Brawling (4:31)
10. Slander (4:31)
11. All forms of malice (4:31)
12. Sexual immorality (5:3)
13. All kinds of impurity (pornography) (5:3)
14. Greed (5:3)
15. Obscenity (5:4)
16. Foolish talk (5:4)
17. Coarse joking (5:4)

It would seem to me that “your former way of life” that we are instructed to “put off” in verse 22 is essentially one and the same with the instruction to “not give the devil a foothold” in verse 27. I think this list can serve as a practical identification of both. Let’s pay attention.