The other day I woke up early, got ready, and quickly headed out the door of our house to record a radio show down the road. It was a snowy morning and bitterly cold outside as I walked towards our car to leave. Then I noticed something that should not be…the back door was wide open. I looked inside hoping no one broke in and stole anything only to find a pile of snow in the backseat. Luckily everything was still there, including a large mound of snow. I then realized that my daughter must have forgot to shut the door the night before as she was in a hurry to get in the house from the cold weather. Turns out I was right and she did forget to shut the door.

The experience made me think about the doors we leave open in our life. You see, some doors are made to walk through, but some doors need to be closed shut in our life. It is the doors that lead to destructive and negative consequences, like the snow in our backseat that need to be sealed shut. When we open the doors of bitterness, frustration, and temptation we are likely to get a pile of junk in our life. Even when left just a little cracked, it can allow the wrong things to get in our life.

Ephesians 4:27

Do not give the devil a foothold.

When we allow sin any room to get in it will fling the door wide open in us. We must keep the door shut and never compromise the interior of our life. So how do we do this…

1. Protect Your Thoughts

Keep your mind on the right things. Don’t allow your mind to wander. When your mind wanders it goes to places it probably shouldn’t. People allow anger to build up when their mind wanders with hurt. When someone slams you, or looks at you wrong, you can start to open the door for pride, unforgiveness, and bitterness. We say things like, “Who do they think they are?” or “They don’t know who their talking to!” We must protect our thoughts from opening the door to sin. Shut out temptation by not allowing it to get in your life. Think on Godly things that are fruitful!

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

2. Protect Your Words

Don’t speak death and negativity over your life! There is not fruit in godless chatter. Your words are like seeds they have the power to create…good or bad. You can either plant seeds of life or seeds of death that will choke out the life in you and around you! When you speak positive and life giving words you plant seeds of hope, faith, and blessing. Your words will determine the course of your life. Make sure you are using them wisely.

Proverbs 18:21

The tongue has the power of life and death…

3. Protect Your Surroundings

Don’t place yourself in situations that will open the door to sin! Don’t walk into a lion’s den and expect to see cute cuddly cats! Make sure you are aware of your surroundings in life. Choose the places you go and the people you hang out with carefully. A recovering alcoholic knows never to set foot in a bar lest they succumb to the temptations, likewise know the places you should and shouldn’t go. This is vital for you to keep from opening the wrong doors. Many people open wrong doors because they were in the wrong places. Don’t fall victim to your surroundings, be a victor and stay away temptation.

Psalm 1:1

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers…