A Gated Community

If you are at all familiar with the architecture of Heaven, then you know that it is, in fact, a "gated community." The Scripture says that there are 3 gates in the east, 3 gates in the west, 3 gates in the north and 3 gates in the south (Revelation 21). Why would it be significant for Heaven to have gates? Because Heaven is not simply a spiritual location, it is the residence of the government of God. Any government of significance has to be protected, has to be barred, has to be gated.

Jesus says that the Kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17). Therefore, we should represent the Gated Community of God. Some of us are "too loose" and giving the Enemy too much room to come in our lives and "kill, steal and destroy" (John 10). We need to be more guarded so that we will not fall victim to the random attacks of the Devil. It's hard for a robber to break in your house if they have to break through iron gates.

One of the areas for which we need to be more guarded is our mouth. We need to guard the things that we say. Jesus says that we will be accountable for every word that comes out of our mouth (Matthew 12). Be more conscious and monitor the things that come out of your mouth. Let there be a spiritual gate that your words must pass through.

We need to be more guarded with our eyes and ears. These two physical instruments represent gates into the spiritual world. What you look at and watch, and what you listen to and hear directly affects your heart and spirit. That's why Jesus says that if you so much as "look" (eye-gate) at a woman with lust in your heart, you've committed sin (Matthew 5). And the scripture says in Romans 10 that faith cometh by "hearing" (ear-gate) and hearing by the Word of God.

Lastly, we need to guard our relationships. Not everybody should qualify to be your "friend." Yes, you want to be friendly and kind to every one, but you can't afford to open your heart and mind to everyone that likes you or everyone with whom you're associated. The Scripture says that bad company corrupts good manners (1Corinthians 15). There are some relationships God does not want you in; sometimes even family. You have to be guarded and make sure people qualify to enter the gate of your inner circle.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, let us be prayerful and watchful as we go forward in Your Name. Give us the discernment to recognize that in the earth realm, we represent the Gated Community of the Kingdom of God. Give us the Grace not to be judgmental or self-righteous, but Spirit-led and obedient to what You would have us to allow into the gates of our lives. We count it done, and we give You the Praise, in Jesus' Name, Amen.