Article November 24, 1980 Issue

A closed door

JÜRGEN KURT STARK

A closed door can indicate the end of a plan, ambition, friendship, or signify a lost opportunity. But shutting the entrance to our home can also protect it from potential thieves.

The Bible speaks of Lot, who opened his door and got himself into a tight corner. The men of Sodom wanted to seduce Lot's two guests—who, the story tells us, were angels in disguise. When the men called on him, "Lot went out at the door unto them, and shut the door after him, and said, I pray you, brethren, do not so wickedly." But the men became more aggressive. "They pressed sore upon the man, even Lot, and came near to break the door. But the men [the angels inside] put forth their hand, and pulled Lot into the house to them, and shut to the door."^{Gen. 19:6, 7, 9, 10;}

"House" can be used as a descriptive term for human consciousness. Many thoughts, or guests, come to our house daily. Still many more ask to be let in: thoughts of fear, irritation, lack, worry, disease; also thoughts of love, mercy, honesty. How can we determine whether the knocks at the door are Christlike thoughts or enslaving suggestions?

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