After Abraham passed his greatest test of obedience, the LORD swore that He would bless and multiply his descendants “as the stars of the heavens and as the sand on the seashore.” (Genesis 22:17)
In addition, Abraham’s descendant would “possess the gate of his enemies”. This prophetic promise was fulfilled in Christ, who has “the keys of hell and of death” and prevent the “gates” (of death) from prevailing against the church in the Resurrection (Revelation 1:18).
Not all that long ago Britain and America possessed the world’s greatest maritime “gates”: Britain the Suez Canal and the USA the Panama Canal. Britain still possesses the formidable Gibraltar, the great rock that presides over the “gate” of the Mediterranean. The decline of the great colonial powers enabled countries to reclaim their strategic gates, and recent alliances with nations hostile to Western powers presents them opportunities to deny entries and exits once taken for granted.
The walls of ancient cities were only as strong as their gates, which was why the greatest conflict was at the gates. In peacetime the city gate was where the city elders sat and judged complaints. Samson took God’s promise to Abraham literally when he “tore off the doors of the city of Gaza, and their two posts, and carried them away, bar and all, on his shoulders, to the top of the hill before Hebron” (Judges 16:3). Samson’s enemies had laid in wait at the gate to kill him, but Gaza with no gates would allow him enter or leave the city at will.
The ancient walls that stand preserved within present-day megacities are of historic significance, and the concept of protective gates has become a metaphor for a point of entry and exit that needs to be more secure. A wall of defence can be strong but its gates can be weak, and since the enemy of our soul attacks the weakest point of entry – and for most Christians this is the mind – we need to strengthen its gates. We can best do this by renewing the “spirit of our mind” until it becomes the mind of Christ (Ephesians 4:23). This will enable us to do humble things with great nobility (Philippians 2:5; John 13:15).
I knew a married couple who erected a large shed on their property to store materials for use in Christian education. Their property was on acreage but could only be accessed by a narrow laneway. A neighbour objected to the increasing number of vehicles using the laneway and complained to the town council, which then denied entry to all but domestic traffic. In order to continue their ministry, the couple were forced to pull down the shed and erect it again in a commercial location. The neighbour’s objection may have been genuine, but in hindsight the couple’s narrow laneway – their “gate” – presented their neighbour with an opportunity (whether out of spite or concern) to close down their home-based work. In effect, their enemy possessed their gateway.
By possessing your “gate” you will frustrate your enemy’s efforts to prevent your freedom of movement. You will be able to come and go at will, to exit and enter as you please. This is what God wants and what Jesus died to give us. But the present generation allows devilish music and video to enter the ear and eye gates without opposition — often with passive permission. Minds are being taken and held by Satan, and unclean spirits are able to enter at will.
“Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity, and enliven me in your way,” prayed the psalmist (Psalm 119:37). Turning away from Vanity may mean turning away from TV. The small set that once sat in a corner has morphed into a giant flat screen that now occupies prime wall space – blasting sound and hurling images of the kind you would not for a moment allow through your front door. This is permitted and approved home invasion, and is dangerous to the spiritual life and mental health of your family.
Who’s guarding your gateway? Who’s your gatekeeper? Jesus in me doesn’t like trash TV but enjoys beautiful things. True things. Honest things. Righteous things. Pure things. Lovely things. Reputable things. Virtuous things. Uplifting things (Philippians 4:8). “Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; guard the door of my lips.” (Psalm 141:3)
Jesus is my Gatekeeper, and will be yours too, if you open the gate of your heart to him.