What Door Are You Opening?

Eddie thought his decision to skip church on Sunday would be uneventful. He never envisioned he was opening the door to three years in prison.

Months before, while visiting jail, I met Eddie. His crimes were significant enough to receive prison time.

But his trial went well and within a few months he was a free man. And during his stay he made a decision to become a follower of Jesus Christ. When released, he immediately got involved in church. Eddie’s life was on the upswing in all areas.

So taking a Sunday off seemed harmless. A stroll around the neighborhood on this pleasant day would be enjoyable.

But then he ran into an old “friend.” Or maybe more appropriately, a drug dealer sent from the devil. Eddie succumbed to temptation. He figured he could handle taking crack cocaine just one more time.

A lie from the devil. And Eddie agreed with him.

Once turned into twice. Twice into a habit. And the habit into a crime spree for drug money. Within three months he was in prison.

Eddie’s life started to implode all because of one decision. Eddie opened one door, one Sunday morning. 1Peter 5:8 says: “Be watchful and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Be watchful. We need to continually ask ourselves: “What door am I opening?”

Be alert. Small decisions or seemingly small ones can easily stack up to becom the main direction of our life—the person we are.

Our enemy. The devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to destroy. His sights are set on you.

The opening of the next verse, 1 Peter 5:9, offers our clear plan to success: “Resist him. Stand firm in the faith.”