"Don't Give Him An Inch So He Can Take a Mile"

Scripture: " do not give the devil a foothold." -Ephesians 4:27, NIV & "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; …" -John 10:10, NIV

In one of the best games of the 2009 - 2010 NFL season, the Indianapolis Colts hosted the New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football on NBC at Lucas Oil Stadium. Coming into this game, Indianapolis was undefeated and New England had two losses on their record. As the game was nearing its end, it seemed like that New England had the game in hand. They were up 34 - 28 and they just missed an opportunity to gain a first down at their own 28 yard line. In one of the gutsiest moves I have seen as a football, New England, under their coach, Bill Belechick, decided to go for it on 4th and 2 because he felt that his offense had enough in the tank to get the necessary yardage. Also, Belechick knew if he gave Indianapolis and their QB Peyton Manning that short of a field, they would score the game winning touchdown. Unfortunately, for Belechick and the Patriots, they did not get the first down on 4th and 2, thus leaving Manning and the Colts 29 yards to score the game winning touchdown. As the game went, Manning led the Colts to the game winning score, thus remaining undefeated. Most NFL people would've told Belechick to punt in order to make Indy march 70 yards versus 28 yards. If we look at this thing from a spiritual standpoint, it's vital that we, as men and women of God, do not give the enemy an inch because he will take a mile. Today's scripture further emphasizes this point.

Within today's message, we are blessed to be coming out of two books: the book of Ephesians and the Gospel according to John. Within this particular chapter of Ephesians, the writer, the Apostle Paul, deals with unity within the body of Christ (verses 1 - 16) and living as children of light or as children of God (verses 17 - 32). The first of today's main scriptures is located within the second discussion listed. Within the chapter of John mentioned, Jesus is giving His disciples a discussion about the Shepherd and His flock (verses 1 - 21) and a discussion on the unbelief of the Jews in Him (verses 22 - 42). The second of today's main scriptures is located within the discussion about the Shepherd and His flock.

Paul begins our discussion today with this word of advice: "do not give the devil a foothold". In other words, do not give him an inch. Many of us know this statement to be true from a worldly standpoint. Ever knew of a person or group of people where you leaked out the wrong information and in turn, they embarrassed you? Well, that's because you gave them a little bit of information or as the text refers to it, "a foothold". If truth were told, we all have our "footholds" that the enemy knows about. As men and women of God, it's imperative not to give him that foothold on a silver platter. Why is this critical?

The second scripture provides the answer to why you don't want to give the enemy a foothold. Jesus told His disciples that "the thief (the enemy, the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy". In other words, the enemy wants to use the inch or "foothold" you give him in order to take his mile (steal, kill, and destroy). Your fear, he wants to make your fear worse. Your inability to step up in key situations, he wants to make you weaker and less useful. Your inability to communicate with your spouse, he wants to make that worse and thus destroy your marriage. Your inability to remedy your financial issues, he wants to clamp you financially where you are borrowing from Peter to pay Paul. The blessing is, ladies and gentlemen, is that we have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three, in one form or another, will allow you to see what's coming. They will protect you and most importantly, they will WARN you. Brothers and sisters, it's on you and I, to heed their warnings where we can survive and not give the enemy a foothold!

In closing, the Patriots should have won that game. Unfortunately, they gave the Colts a short field and therefore, paid for it. Do not give the enemy a short field and allow him to score the game winning touchdown on you! Know that you have the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, leading you and guiding you. Receive the play they are telling you to run so that the devil cannot gain any ground on you or your family!