FOOTHOLD

Imagine yourself a mountain that moves. Who or what is king of the mountain? Who or what is king of you? Is it a fleeting emotion? Is it a relative, friend or thing?

Imagine again, but this time picture yourself as a portable room. Who have you let in your door? Who or what are you letting in your door currently? 

Ephesians 4:26-28 mentions the word "foothold" as a condition brought about by the enemy of our souls that has given him possible strategic advantage over our lives. The verse reads - 

• "'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." 

The original word for "foothold" here is topos. It is likely where we get our word topography - the study of land or places. Topos can refer to a specific advantageous location, like a foot in the door or right placement of the foot on a mountain outcropping. Some would say this is being in the right place at the right time. Foothold can also refer to a condition or advantageous opportunity the the likes of anger and other passionate emotions which can turn negative or positive depending on the user.

The instruction in the verse is three-fold:

1. Do not allow the condition to get to you and lead you to sin. ('In your anger do not sin')
2. Do not allow the day to end with the condition still unresolved. (Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry)
3. Kick the devil off your mountain or out of your door/home! (do not give the devil a foothold.)

The how-to defeat or avoid this scenario altogether is to perform preemptive work. We all need to be more sensitive, more considerate, more attentive and more aware of ourselves, others and our surroundings. We need to be more proactive. If we have our antenna up and tuned to these and most importantly The Holy Spirit, far and few between will be the Foothold.