Insightful Musings on theScriptures

by

Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67

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September 11, 2014

Good morning, dear ones.

Another gorgeous meteorological view from this window—if I don’t focus on ground-level details—the vast array of stuff within view that needs my attention. There seems to be no end. I think I want to change the subject and mention that Becki will be here in a few minutes and join me on a little walk/jog. She’s a little more motivated to do this now that a disturbing decision has been handed down from the town fathers that disturbs her and a lot of other people—a decision to close down the swimming pool facility. Very sad.

Besides more sign work, I need to get ready for a guy to come at 10am to cut up his black walnut logs

Here she comes. Bye bye. Love, Dad/Ray.

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11 September
Ephesians 4:17-5:2
Focus: "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—who seem to live totally “ignorant of his devices” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

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 (“ish”). 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 their life 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.