CHANGE YOUR MIND ABOUT THE SETTING SUN
Text – Ephesians 4:26-27
"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,
and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Can Satan fill the heart of a Christian? Consider Ananias (Acts 5:3) - Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart…?” Obviously, he can. The relevant question is –
Can Satan fill your heart?
1. Satan did not write a book himself, but God wrote the book on Satan.
God does not want you to be unaware of the way Satan operates (2 Corinthians 2:10-11) - I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Satan counterfeits every spiritual thing he can (2 Corinthians 11:14-15) – “Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.”
Satan even quotes Scripture (Matthew 4:5-6) - Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
2. Satan can enter your heart when you make a place for him (Ephesians 4:27) – “Do not give the devil a foothold.”
Satan’s attack is not irresistible. Consider Ananias again (Acts 5:4) – “What made you think of doing such a thing?” The devil did not make him do it. The devil kept pushing him in the way he wanted to go.
Your unconfessed sin is an invitation for Satan to find a place to operate in your life.
3. Satan’s influence can be so serious on the Christian that death can be a divine discipline for the believer.
Consider Ananias again (Acts 5:5) – “When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. “
Consider the case of sexual sin in the church in Corinth – a man was sleeping with his step-mother (1 Corinthians 5:5) – “Hand this man over to Satan, so that the sinful nature may be destroyed and his spirit saved on the day of the Lord.”
Consider the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:27-32) - Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
4. Satan is no match for the equipment God has given you (Ephesians 6:11) – “Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.”
The equipment is supernatural to fight a supernatural enemy (Ephesians 6:12) - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Get your belt of truth on to hold everything together.
Get your breastplate of the righteousness of Jesus over your heart.
Get some good shoes on your feet so you can move quickly with the message of peace.
Grab your shield of faith to defend against Satan’s flaming arrows.
Put your helmet on to protect your head to think straight about your salvation.
Pick up your only offensive weapon, the Bible, which is the sword of the Spirit.
The equipment is designed for you, and it is your responsibility to use it. If you are too lazy to put it on, he is not going to dress you.
5. Time is not on your side – it’s on Satan’s side (Ephesians 6:27) – “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
The longer sin festers in your heart, the greater the opportunity for Satan to use it against you.
Consider what Jesus said about worship (Matthew 5: 23-24) - "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.”
Jesus followed-up with this (Matthew 5:25) - "Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.”
6. Change your mind about the setting sun – have no unfinished business at the end of the day. It is a reminder not to set a place for Satan at the table of your life.
The procrastinator always has a reason (Proverbs 26:13) - The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!"
Satan is roaring in the road to keep you in your house (1 Peter 5:8) - "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
When the sun sets today, will this be another day when you have unfinished business with God? Jesus said, “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4).
The sun is setting. Night is coming.
Change your mind. Or Satan will get a foothold