The ancient city of Babylon was considered impregnable because it had a mighty wall so broad that three chariots could ride abreast. From these walls, archers could decimate invaders. However, Babylon had an Achilles’ heel. The Euphrates River ran under the wall providing drinking water and irrigation for crops. Nonetheless, God pronounced the destruction of Babylon due to the sinfulness of the King. Some historians believe that the invading Medes diverted the Euphrates. However, God promised He would intervene by creating “a drought…upon her waters; and they shall be dried up” (Jeremiah 50:38), “…and I will dry up her sea” (51:36). This could describe the invading Medes entering the city under the wall where the water previously flowed, and subsequently conquering the city.

The Apostle Paul warns believers in Ephesians 4:27, “Neither give place to the devil.” By this he means we are to leave no open place in our defenses where Satan can gain an easy entry into our lives and destroy our walk with the Lord. Once within the inner walls of our lives, Satan can begin to erect walls, or patterns of behavior, that can readily enslave us. Some of his strongholds include the chains of errant doctrines inflicted by “the sleight of men” (vs. 14) upon those not grounded in God’s Word. It includes luring believers into imitating the lost (vs. 17), habits of anger (vs. 26), thievery (vs. 28), filthy language (vs. 29), bitterness and malice (vs. 31). It can include outright immorality, or simply neglecting the things of the Lord. The point Paul is making about not giving place to Satan is that we have a choice. We can either fortify our spiritual defenses against the devil, or leave ourselves vulnerable to his attack.

If you have allowed Satan an open door where he can easily defeat you, there is still hope. But victory can’t be achieved in the power of the flesh. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds: Casting down…every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:4-5). This simply means the walls of our defenses against Satan will have to be repaired with the mortar of God’s Word in our minds, the bricks of continual prayer, and built on the foundation of reliance on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. If your defenses have been compromised, begin a diligent rebuilding project today.