You’ve heard the maxims before, like, “If you give him an inch, he’ll take a mile.” This is true of toddlers, salesmen and some business associates. But, even more so, it’s true of the devil!
That is why God warned us to not “give place to the devil” (Eph. 4:27). While it is also translated, “opportunity,” the word means to not give the devil any “room” in your life. We give him room (contextually) when we don’t control our lying (4:25), our anger (4:26), our impulses (4:28), our tongue (4:29), our bitterness (4:31), our unforgiving attitude (4:32), etc.
You see? In all these examples, if you give the devil an inch, he’ll take a mile. Let him get just a little temper out of you, a little lie, a little lack of self-control, a little slip of the tongue, a little feeling resentment, and before you know it, he has drawn you out into the realm of sinful conduct more than you ever intended to go. Friends, be “sober and vigilant” (1 Pet. 5:8)! “Resist him steadfast in the faith” (5:9)! Don’t give him an inch in your life!