Satan has many disguises; a lion’s costume is only one of them.  He is also an intruder.  A sneaky one.  He prowls around the border of our personal boundary lines, looking for a break in the fence.  He seeks a way to sneak in quietly so he can oppress.  If he has legal grounds to do so, he’ll move in and call it home. It’s spiritual Squatters’ rights.  He’s as crafty as a serpent who can move among the blades of grass without even disturbing them.  He’s in before you even know it. 

What gives him the right to oppress?  Our unconfessed sin. Unresolved issues.  Grudges and resentments we haven’t yet laid at the foot of the cross.  Family biases we have perpetuated out of improper loyalty to our parents.  Responses to victimization and abuse that we haven’t yet processed to receive Abba’s healing.  Judgements rooted in unforgiveness.  All of these compromise our fence line to provide an opening.  The ‘intruder’ prowls, seeks such an entrance, and has the legal right to slither in.  

What can we do about this invasion?  Plenty.  Ask God to reveal our blind spots. Ask the Holy Spirit to search our hearts, daily.  Disclosure brings confession, confession brings forgiveness, and forgiveness brings deliverance.  Our enemy will no longer have the legal right to stay in our space.  Squatters’ rights will be revoked.  

There is another way to live for anyone who can’t catch a break or who can’t seem to get their breath because of relentless opposition. It is possible to breathe deeply and hear nothing but quiet, to listen and only sense the reassuring whispers of the Spirit.  Holiness offers us a peaceful sanctuary to call home.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  I John 1:9