After Abraham had passed his greatest test of obedience, the LORD swore that He would bless and multiply his descendants “as the stars of the heaven 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” that will prevent these “gates” 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 Gibraltar, the great “gate” of the Mediterranean. The decline of the great colonial powers enabled countries to reclaim these strategic gates, and their 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 area of greatest conflict was 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 “took the doors of the city [of Gaza], and the two posts, and went away with them, bar and all, on his shoulders, and carried them up 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 without gates anyone could enter or leave the city at will.
The ancient walls that stand preserved within present-day megacities have historic significance, but the concept of protective gates is now a metaphor for a point of entry and exit in a Christian’s life that needs to be secured. A wall of defense can be strong but its gates weak, and since the enemy of our soul attacks our 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 the humblest of things with the great of 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.
But 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 spiteful 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; in fact, with total permission. Minds are being taken and held by Satan, and unclean spirits are able to enter in 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 occupies prime wall space – blasting sound and hurling images of the kind you would not for a moment allow through your front door. It is permitted and approved home invasion, and it is dangerous to the spiritual life and mental health of your family.
Who’s guarding your gate? Who’s your gatekeeper? Jesus in me doesn’t like trash TV but loves beautiful things. True things. Honest things. Righteous things. Pure things. Lovely things. Reputable things. Virtuous things. Uplifting things (Philippians 4:8).
Jesus is my Gatekeeper, and will be yours too, if you let him.