A Small Foothold
James tells us, “If you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there” (James 3:14-16, NKJV).
Take note of whom James is addressing here. In verse 13, he says, “Who is wise and understanding among you?” He is telling us, “You may have great spiritual wisdom and knowledge, but if there is bitterness in your home, strife in your heart, envy at your workplace, don’t think you are spiritual at all. You are under a lying delusion.”
When James speaks of strife and bitterness, he is talking about arguing and faultfinding. He says it’s all devilish, sensual, works of evil. In short, anyone who holds on to bitterness causes strife, and worse, he opens his heart to demonic possession.
Do you know people whose bitterness has led to satanic oppression? Over time, their outer person begins to manifest the darkness they have held inside. Eventually, their bodies begin to break down, becoming diseased and shriveled, and they suffer mental imbalances. Whenever the devil is given such ground, he works utter destruction.
So, go ahead, hold your grudge. Keep your bitterness. Continue stirring up strife. If you do, you will be in total rebellion against God and his Word, and you’ll open yourself up to Satan. You will become spiritually blind and hardened in heart.
On the other hand, if you are willingly obedient to God’s Word, then no matter how injured you are, you’ll show the peaceable wisdom of gentleness through forgiveness.
In Jerusalem, there’s a powerful example of how Satan can get a demonic foothold in even the smallest patch of ground. Looking down on the Holy City from the Mount of Olives, the Muslim Dome of the Rock temple sits on a tiny piece of land. It’s less than an acre, yet somehow Satan got his hands on it and built a temple to himself. It’s become the abomination of desolation, as mentioned in Scripture (see Matthew 14:15).
The devil managed to focus his powers in the very midst of God’s once-chosen people, Israel. It happened because he got just a small foothold. This is a vivid picture of what Satan does when he gains even the smallest piece of ground.