Guarding the Door: Recognizing the Enemy’s Tactics

Pastor Michelle Thomas
Sep 3
2 min read

In the city of Ephesus—a place known for wealth, culture, and deep spiritual darkness—God demonstrated His power in an extraordinary way. Through the apostle Paul, miracles flowed so powerfully that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him carried healing and deliverance. Paul didn’t walk in hype or formulas; he walked in true authority born from intimacy with Christ.

But not everyone carried that same authority. A group of Jewish priests, the seven sons of Sceva, tried to imitate Paul. They attempted to cast out demons using the phrase: “In the name of the Jesus whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” On the surface, it sounded right. But the spiritual realm exposed the truth. The evil spirit replied, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know about, but who are you?” What followed was humiliation: the demon-possessed man overpowered them, leaving them beaten and naked.

This sobering moment teaches us that the enemy recognizes real authority—and exposes counterfeit faith. It’s not enough to say the right words or perform the right rituals. True authority flows only from relationship with Jesus Christ and alignment with the Holy Spirit.

Closing the Open Doors

The aftermath in Ephesus was powerful. Witnessing what happened to the sons of Sceva, many confessed their sins and renounced their occult practices. In a public act of repentance, they burned their scrolls of sorcery—closing spiritual doors that had given the enemy access. The result? The Word of God spread with greater power and influence.

We are reminded that the enemy is strategic. He looks for cracks—compromise, unrepented sin, toxic influences—and slips in quietly. That’s why we must guard our doors: our hearts, our minds, our homes, our habits.

How Do We Guard the Door?

Close open doors – Repent and remove footholds.
Guard your gates – Protect what you watch, listen to, and allow to influence you.
Discern the enemy’s tactics – Distraction, deception, division, discouragement.
Armor up daily – Truth, faith, salvation, the Word, and prayer.
Walk in true authority – Rooted in a living relationship with Jesus, not empty words.

Why It Matters

If we don’t guard the door, the enemy will. He comes only to steal, kill, and destroy—but Christ came that we may have life and life abundantly (John 10:10). Guarding our door ensures not only our own freedom but also the protection of our families, our ministries, and our destinies.

Living It Out

Like the believers in Ephesus, sometimes we must “burn the scrolls”—let go of the compromises, habits, or influences that have been open doors for the enemy. When we do, God’s presence flows freely, and revival follows.

As Prophetic Pathways reminds us in Chapter 14, the enemy often comes subtly—through whispers of distraction, seeds of division, or subtle deception. Guarding the door means being alert, armored, and aligned with heaven.