We are currently reading through the book of Isaiah in our Family Devotions. This morning we read Isaiah 28:6: “And for the spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.”
The gates speak of the entrance to the city. They are the hub of the city or the nation. They speak of where all the decisions are made by the leaders of the city or the nation. The city must be protected at the gates.
However, I believe that we also have personal gates. I believe that our ears and eyes are gates. And there is a battle at the gates of our ears. The devil would love to fill our ears with evil and uncleanness that we should not allow into our minds and bodies. We must guard what we hear and listen to. We must choose carefully.
It makes me think of that Scripture in Job 34:3: “For the ear trieth words, as the mouth tasteth food.” When we taste something bitter or nasty, what do we do? We spit it out. We don’t want to eat it. That’s exactly what we do with our ears. If something comes to our ears that we know is wrong, we immediately spit out. We do not allow it in.
But the most important thing, dear mothers, is that we must teach our children how to do this. They face this battle, and we must teach them how to overcome.
It's the same with our eyes. We guard our eyes from looking at anything that is lustful or even doubtful to God’s holiness. And we teach our children how to guard their eyes. We must constantly remind them, “Children, if you see anything that is evil, close your eyes. Run from it immediately. Don’t let your eyes even look at what is evil. You must not allow it into your soul. You are the guard, standing at the gates of your eyes and your ears.” 1 John 2:15-17 tells us that “the lust of the eyes” does not belong to our Father God, it belongs to the spirit of this world.
I remember asking my granddaughter one day, “Chalice, if you saw anything bad on your iPad when you are doing your homeschooling, what would you do? She didn’t even think about what to answer. She immediately responded, “I would vomit!”
Here are two other translations to help you understand this Scripture:
GW: “He will give strength to those who defend the city gates in battle.” There is a battle for the eyes and ears of your children. They must understand it is a battle and learn how to defend their eyes and ears.
AMPLIFIED: “The LORD of hosts will be “a strength to those who drive back the battle at the gate.”
CJB: The Lord will be “a source of strength for those repelling enemy attacks at the gate.” God is with us to help us in the battle.
Train your family to be WATCH DOGS and GUARDIANS at the opening gates of their lives.
Blessings from Nancy Campbell