The book of Nehemiah speaks extensively about gates and walls. These are access points- or places of entry. The enemy had gotten in, burned down the gates, and broke down the walls. Then they were able to destroy the city, taking the people captive.

We are to learn from the people whose stories fill the pages of the Bible. Just as the city of Jerusalem had access points, we have them as well. Our gates are the eyes, ears, and mouth: our senses. These are points of entry where the enemy can get in and steal, kill, and destroy us. When we look at wrong things, listen to wrong things, or speak wrong things, we open the gates to the devil.

Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. Psalm 100:4 (KJV)

We can enter the Lord’s presence through giving Him thanks. In addition, thanksgiving closes the gates of our lives to the enemy. The enemy cannot stand it when we praise God, and he’s not about to give thanks to anyone, especially the Lord! Therefore, he cannot enter in when thanksgiving is involved. Thanksgiving closes the gate in his face,compl and he can’t get in to destroy us.

And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age. I Corinthians 10:10-11 (New Living Translation, NLT)

On the other hand, when we complain, the enemy can get in easily. He can breakthrough and burn our gates, bringing defeat and destruction to our lives.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

The fruit of the Holy Spirit is like bricks that we can use to build walls of protection around us. As we walk in the fruit of the Spirit, brick-by-brick we establish a strong barrier to the enemy. For example, when we walk in love, the enemy cannot get to us. But, if we were to lose our peace and become impatient with God, ourselves, or others, a brick falls out of our walls and the enemy can squeeze in. And when the enemy has access to get in, he begins to break down all of our defenses. If we give him just an inch, he’ll take a mile!

As we yield our eyes, ears, and mouths to God, seeing, listening to, and speaking God’s Word, we rebuild any broken places and re-establish the strong protection we once had. We’ll walk in the fruit of the Spirit and the gates and walls of our lives will become impenetrable once again. The enemy will have no access.

As we remain thankful and walk in the fruit of the Spirit, being doers of God’s Word, our gates and walls of protection will not be accessed and destroyed by the enemy. Our whole spirit, soul, and body will be protected and kept safe from the attacks of the devil. He will not be able to enter any area of our lives. When we enjoy a life dedicated to God and walking with Him, all access points are closed to the enemy and left open only to the Lord.