What does it mean when we say someone has opened a door to something? Open doors specifically ones which we have left open due to sin/backsliding and neglect of our faith can refer to places in our lives in which we haven't guarded or kept in check that can allow the enemy to come through and plant seeds of destruction.
Open doors through sin
Backsliding often happens because of open doors and they often lead to backsliding.
If someone lies, they open doors that the enemy then sends demons that plant seeds of strive, pride, division etc. You'll find that one deception you shared became like a snowball effect and grew worse and worse and now lying is a stronghold in your life. Perversion can also be a result of an open door if someone is committing sexual immorality, watching pornographic images, think and meditate on lustful and sexual thoughts, where even their dreams are filled this way they open doors that allows the enemy to plant more seeds of perversion in their lives and they'll realise that perversion has become a strong hold in their lives and that they'll find it difficult to overcome. This can be with spirits of envy, pride, Jealousy, comparison /competition, greed lust. You'll see someone who had greed for something small could in future become someone who can kill someone just for something they desire.
By being asleep
We open doors when we backside but also fall asleep on our faith. Our prayer life is low, we barely read the word, worship is barely done and during this lukewarm half-half stage, the enemy begins to go through the neglect of our walk with God. He'll begin to spread lies and misdirect you to compromise in your faith, doubt, overthink, worry, stumble or even decide to go back to what God delivered you from. You'll find yourself back to certain addictions and compromising more and more. Making excuses, your priorities aren't properly aligned anymore, spending time with God is that important to you anyone and is often pushed last.
So what do we do?
We don't just watch all this and mope. We shut every door that isn't of God. Is there unforgiveness, pride, envy, lust, gossip, stealing, déception in your heart? Is idolatry taking over its neglect? Are your thoughts gravitating more towards purity or sinfulness? This is the time to armour up with the full armour of God. We should hold every thought captive in obedience to Christ! (2 Corinthians 10:5) And in the name of Jesus, we have authority to trample on snakes and scorpions (Luke 10:19)
Matthew 18:18-19
ESV
18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
We shut these doors by remaining abiding in the Word and prayer.
1 Peter 5:8-11
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
The enemy just needs a little, a place in our lives where we neglect and it's open, ready for him to say come through and begin to plant lies and misdirect us away from God. We need to remain awake. Our Christian lives are a battle, so we should continuously remain connected to the vine (John 15:5) and resist the devil (James 4:7) and declare the word of God. The word of God is truth and God will always fulfil his word when we pray with scripture we pray with truth and revelation. We should hold every thought captive and ask God to strengthen our spirits or remain in him. That God will shut every door that is not of him, whether intentionally or unintentionally we allowed the enemy to pass by a place of neglect, we should now take authority and remain guided and led by the spirit.
But we can trust as we resist. He, the enemy will flee from us.
Ask God to shut every open door and place where you've allowed the enemy plant more seeds of lies, sinfulness and misdirect. Ask God to give you the strengh to not ignore but to fight! To continuously fight the fight and resist the enemy. To remain in peserverance and praying continously knowing that who you are resisting, will soon flee from you and you'll find freedom.
-etty