Don't Open that Door!

God's Word has much to say about "doors". 

Jesus used the term "door" as a metaphor. 

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears My voice and opens the door.  I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."  Revelations 3:20 

This verse above may be familiar to you.  In this verse, Jesus is asking for entrance into our hearts and lives.  Again, He uses the term door as a metaphor for letting Him into our lives. 

In this case, letting Jesus into our lives is a GREAT choice, one the reaps eternal rewards. 

However, there are also instances when we are faced with unfavorable choices knocking at our doors. 

Door is often translated from the Hebrew word pethach, which means "an opening or an entrance".

This word pethach is also translated "gates" at times in the Bible, referring to the gates that would be at the entrance of a city.  The gates of cities would be guarded to protect the people of the city from enemies who meant them harm. 

The Lord said this to Cain in Genesis 4:7

"You will be accepted if you do what is right.  But, if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at your door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master."  

The Lord was warning Cain in this verse.  Opening the door to sin will bring unwanted consequences and can invite more temptation. 

Can you just picture it?  Sin...crouching...waiting to an opportunity to strike.  Bad choices open the door and invite the enemy into our lives.  Good choices are like the guards on the wall protecting our hearts from the enemies that would like to enter and conquer. 

Recently, our van door stopped working properly.  We could get it open, but it wasn't guaranteed we would be able to shut it.  It malfunctioned and the van won't work if the door isn't shut. 

Our lives will also malfunction if we open the door to the enemy.  When we open that door, we don't know what it will take to get it closed.  It is better to not open it in the first place.

(I put this sign on our door to remind us not to open it.)  Habit can be a powerful force--it can oftentimes override reason and knowledge.

I hope this sign may remind you to stop and make the right choice the next time you sense sin crouching at your door inviting you to open the door and let him into your life.  The enemy wants your life to malfunction.  Don't let him have that control in your life.  Subdue him, subdue the sin.

NO!  Don't open that door!