If a believer cultivates any known sin, he is giving the enemy a foothold in his life. Satan will use this entrance to take over other areas of the person’s life.

“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to him that needs. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice: And be you kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:26-32

Sins that give access to the devil:

1. Lying

“You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44

Believe the truth = give the Holy Spirit opportunity to work.

Believe a lie = give the devil an opportunity to work.

God’s truth builds up the body, Satan’s lies tear down the body. You cannot be in fellowship with God and harbor lies. See Acts 5:1-7

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” Revelation 21:8

There are those that make lying a practice and become deceitful. Drug addicts = a Lifestyle.

“But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.” Revelation 22:15

Practices a lie: A person where it is more natural to lie than to tell the truth.

2. Anger

“But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, ‘You fool’, shall be in danger of hell fire.” Matthew 5:22

There is a righteous anger against sin.

“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behaviour and perverse speech.” Proverbs 8:13

Sinful angers leads to more sin.

3. Stealing

“When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.” Matthew 8:28

Time can be stolen = i.e. workplace

“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10

4. Filthy Language

You do not want speech that will tear you down. The devil will try to get you to think about sin and talk about it. He will try to excite your imagination. If you talk freely about filthy things you become accustomed to it.

5. An Unforgiving Spirit

You give Satan one of the strongest accessed with bitterness and malice. The only remedy is forgiveness. The devil loves to have this in the church because it will defile many.

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Hebrews 12:15

The longer you harbor an unforgiving spirit, the more ground you give to the devil to operate in your life. Many churches and Christian have been destroyed by people not forgiving one another. If the other party doesn’t forgive you, you forgive him.

People can keep things buried many years.

6. Slander

“Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things.” 1 Timothy 3:11

Slander: devil; false accuser; slanderer; prone to slander; slanderous; accusing falsely; a calumniator.

“A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.” Proverbs 25:18

Many of the great men of God suffered at the mouths of slanderers and false accusers. David, Jesus, Joseph, Jeremiah, Paul, etc..

It is a painful experience when you have your name slandered from the mouths of professed believers. Satan rejoices when this occurs.

“Brothers, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.” Galatians 6:1

It is better not to hang dirty laundry in public.

“This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” 2 Corinthians 13:1

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, ‘Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brothers is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” Revelation 12:10

When you and I slander the saints instead of praying for them we are doing the work of the devil. Satan rejoices when the saints slander each other.

“Hatred stirs up strife: but love covers all sins.” Proverbs 10:12

“Only by pride comes contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.” Proverbs 13:10

“Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.” Proverbs 22:10