SURRENDERED GROUND
We are commanded in Ephesians 4:27 not to "give place to the devil." The word place refers to an area of jurisdiction. In warfare, opposing sides gain jurisdictional area whenever " ground " is surrendered to them..
The context of Ephesians 4 refers to immorality ( they " have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness" v. 19), greed ( let him that stole, steal no more" v. 28), and bitterness ( " let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice" v. 31).
When Esau sold his birthright for the momentary satisfaction of his physical desires, he experienced a loss which he later tried to regain, even with tears. Timothy was told by Paul to keep himself from the contaminations of evil so he might be a vessel unto honor, prepared unto every good purpose of the Lord.
It is through the eyes that we see things which the heart begins to covet. God equates covetousness with idolotry ( Ephesians 5:5). Boluntary debt would be a sign of greed, because it is expressing a love for money tather than a love for the Lord by being content with what He has provided." The love of money is the root of all evil... (1 timothy 6:10).
Scripture teaches that "only by pride cometh contention..." (Proverbs 13:10).
Thus pride is the root sin of bitterness, and "... thereby many be defiled "(Hebrews 12:15). Satan was cast out of Heaven because of pride. Adam and Eve also fell through pride.
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever" (1 John 2:15-17).
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