The Location of Hell
and do not give the devil an opportunity Ephesians 4:27
Opportunity – On the west end of Grand Cayman is a town called Hell. Maybe it’s only a tourist trap, but there is a post office there so you can mail a letter to someone from Hell. In physical space, this is about as close as you can get to the real thing. But the real thing is no joke. When Paul speaks about giving the devil an opportunity, he actually uses the Greek word topos. “Don’t give a place to the devil.” Apparently, Paul had some sort of geography in mind as well.
What does it mean to “give place” to the devil? It certainly isn’t about post cards and island tourists. The only “place” you and I can give to the devil is where we are. The verb here is important. It is didomi. It means “to give of one’s own accord with good will.” You don’t use didomi for something taken from you. You don’t use it to describe something you gave up under duress. This is a verb used for bestowing something, granting permission or delivering something for personal advantage. In other words, Paul is not saying that the Accuser is attacking you and you collapse under enemy fire. He is saying that you are not to bestow anything on the Accuser. He is your enemy no matter how seductively he presents himself. Be wary. Send him packing!
Why would anyone give opportunity to an enemy combatant? We might ask certain members of the judicial system this question. There is only one reason Paul can think of. We might give an enemy opportunity because we think we have something to gain in the bargain. Isn’t that the appeal of the Accuser? He doesn’t come to us with brash and outrageous proclamations of his own superiority. He approaches offering “gifts.” He suggests that we will be advantaged by allowing him some space in the territory we occupy. He asks only that we bestow on him the privilege of “improving” our lot in life. You’re hungry? Take a little something to eat. You want to be the best you can be? Add this to your arsenal. You want to show your faithfulness? Protect yourself today so you can fight tomorrow. You wish to prevent harm to your friend? Let me suggest an alternative path. It’s all good, isn’t it?
Until a human being has come under the seductive power of the Accuser, the usual tactic is offering something appealing. Advantage is the name of the game. Money, sex and power are simply the tools used to pry us away from God’s design and push us toward our own evaluations of personal enhancement. The “place” of this battlefield is right between your ears; the devil’s playground is in the mind-field.
Next time you hear the suggestion that giving just an inch will make everything better; remember that didomi also means “to give up and to deliver.” This is the offer of a gift with a trip-wire attached.
Topical Index: opportunity, place, topos, give, didomi, Ephesians 4:27
Judaism
In mainstream Judaism there is no concept of a devil like in mainstream Christianity or Islam. In Hebrew, the biblical word ha-satan (השָׂטָן) means “the adversary”[5] or the obstacle, or even “the prosecutor” (recognizing that God is viewed as the ultimate Judge).
I’m wondering if the statement above is true or false. Seems true to me.
It is true of biblical Judaism, but later, under the influence of Hellenism and rabbinic thought, the person of the “Devil” was greatly expanded, so by the time of Yeshua, a different understanding was in the mix.
More accurately Michael, hasatan would be the “persecutor” not the “prosecutor”. Where is the evidence of our guilt? (Halleljah!- we have been (forever) forgiven.)
He is, however, the “accuser” of the brethren. He will whip out a his “accusing” finger in half-a-heartbeat.
We see this tactic demonstrated almost daily- (it’s all George Bush’s fault!). See how “easy” that was! Let all try this together- see how fast you can whip out the “accusing finger” and say (or better yet- think)- it’s all your fault (or their fault or his fault or her fault)- it really doesn’t matter- just have fun laying “blame” on someone else. Until we can “center” ourselves and say with Pogo- “we have met the enemy and he is us”, we can easily travel through this life, “blaming” and “accusing” one another.
I love this statement brother Skip- (The “place” of this battlefield is right between your ears; the devil’s playground is in the mind-field.) How true, how true- however…
Enter “didomi.” Short definition: “bestow.” -to present as a gift; give; confer (usually fol. by on or upon): The trophy was bestowed upon the winner.
2. to put to some use; apply: Time spent in study is time well bestowed.
Remember the words of hasatan. “All this I will give you”.. (Matthew 4.9). (didomi!). Yeshua, filled with the very Breath of G-d, first of all “considered the source” and a smile (and maybe even a snicker!) must have come across His beautiful face. His infinite mind must have swept back and forth between creation and His coronation and wedding supper yet to be. “All this I will give you..” Ha. – Prince of posers, liar, deceiver- what a faker, what a “wannabe”. Hey Jesus- I’ve got this pretty pile of dust I’ll give you. What a ‘dweeb.’
First of all,- I cannot give you what I do not possess. It’s just not possible. I can want all I want, but that’s about all I can do. I can tell you all kinds of lies (I’m quite capable) about giving this or bestowing that but unless I possess these things what am I but a “false boaster?” Enter hasatan- “the prince of posers.” “False Boaster”. What a (foul-smelling) puff of air. The “prince of nothing.”
Yeshua did not enter into this “confrontation” with hasatan randomly. He was led by the spirit into the desolate place to be tempted by the “slandering false accuser.” (Matthew 4.1) -If you will forgive my overactive imagination- “hey Jesus, you wanna have some fun today?- (three times “it is written”, He ran him through with a sharp two-edged sword!) pardon me… (Hallelujah!) -Go G-d!
Don’t ever get the idea of two equal but opposite opposing forces on display here. This “fight” was the Creator vs the created. El-Gibbor vs mr. ‘pretty pipsqueak’. (pardon me, but I’ll tell you where I’ll place my money.)- No contest. “Victor vs looser.”
I like the KJV version of Ephesians 4.27. (personal preferrence). Neither give “place” to the devil. He is looking for a chink in our armour, a “place” to insert his malicious prybar and start enlarging a hole in which to pour his poisonous lies. We are to simply say- “no.” We have been given (by the Giver of all good gifts!) the opportunity to say- “no.” It is our “opportunity” to say- “talk to the hand.” When the “accuser” comes around- send him packing. We can say with all the authority given unto the Lord Jesus, “see you later- bye.” (Romans 8.1)
What freedom we have been given (didomi) through Christ. What gifts are ours (didomi) through Christ. What authority is ours (didomi) through Christ Jesus (who is) Christ the Victor. King of kings and LORD of lords. We celebrate (and share) His victory over sin, satan and self.
G-d, You reign.
“hasatan would be the persecutor not the prosecutor”
Hi Carl,
When we think of Satan in Job, he is with the “Sons of God” who, as I understand them, are superhuman creatures that make up God’s “court” or council.
Obviously, Yahweh is the “Judge” of this “supreme court,” so it would seem like the legal metaphor could logically extend to Satan as a kind of prosecutor.
But when we think of the Devil in Christian literature, he is usually portrayed as God’s antagonist and man’s tempter, unlike Satan who is like a friend and one of the Sons of God in Job.
So when I combine this view of Satan, with the Hebrew view of “evil impulses,” I tend to think the Devil is just a projection of our own desires in our own minds.
The “place” of this battlefield is right between your ears; the devil’s playground is in the mind-field.
Or is it the “mine-field” after all brother Skip? At the end of the day the garnered advantage as you aptly declare is really all about mine advantage is it not?
Hell on Earth at the end of the day is the result of what I like to call the 666 attitude … (six being the number of man) the translation is “me, myself and I”. Hell is here (as you state brother Skip) because we open the door where sin is crouching at … we don’t open it because we have no power to keep it shut … we open it because we want the temporal benefits of doing so …. and then lament when the consequences of “the deal” are made manifest!
In many instances the welcoming of sin wherein te door is just wide open and there is no desire at all to fight to close it leads to full blown possession and unfathomable wickedness … or all out Hell on Earth!
The accuser has no power over us unless it is granted … well stated Skip! Let us use our armor effectively … praise Yeshua!