I hadn’t thought much about gates until recently, but they seemed to appear every time I opened my Bible: Lot sitting in the gate of Sodom, David commanding gates to lift their heads, and Jesus calling Himself “the gate.” Intrigued, I decided to dig deeper and found that gates are mentioned over 400 times in Scripture, playing a vital role in biblical life—both physically and spiritually.
📽️ Prefer to watch?
Check out the video below, where I dive into the role of gates in Scripture, their spiritual significance, and how they relate to guarding the gates of our hearts. If you’d rather read, keep scrolling for all the details!
The Role of Gates in Ancient Cities
Walls surrounded ancient cities; within these walls were gates, which were the only way in and out of the city. The city’s security depended on the strength of its gates. Made of stone or wood and reinforced with brass or iron, gates were heavily guarded. Gatekeepers stayed vigilant, watching for potential threats and dangers from the outside world.
As I studied these ancient gates, I realized we have spiritual gates of our own—gates that control access to our innermost being, our hearts. These gates are not made of stone or metal but of flesh. They are our eyes, ears, and mouths.
Proverbs 4:23 reminds us: “Above all else, guard your heart,
for everything you do flows from it.”
To guard our hearts, we must be careful about what enters and exits through these gates.
Guarding the Gates to Our Heart
In ancient times, gates were the most vulnerable part of the city. It’s often said that “Whoever possesses the city’s gates controls the city.” If left unguarded, the enemy could come and go at will, eventually taking control of the city.
Just like those ancient cities had gatekeepers to watch over their gates, we are the gatekeepers of our own hearts. God has given us free will, and it’s up to us to decide what comes in and what goes out of our gates.
Every day, we choose what we see, hear, and say. How do you make those choices? Do you filter them through the world’s standards or God’s standards?
The world’s standards are easy to spot.—turn on your TV, listen to the latest pop psychologist, or scroll through social media. These standards shift with each generation based on the latest trends and human wants and needs.
God’s standards, on the other hand, never change. They are grounded in His Word, love, fairness, and justice, as perfectly demonstrated by Jesus.
Does God’s Word encourage things like sexual immorality, idolatry, hatred, or jealousy? If the answer is no, then what we let in and out of our gates—like the movies we watch, the books we read, or the words we speak—shouldn’t either. Let the truth of God’s Word, not the lies of the world, determine what enters and exits our gates.
God Is Our Strength and Shield
Though we are the gatekeepers of our hearts, we don’t defend our gates alone. God is on our side!
“The Lord is my strength and my shield” (Psalm 28:7).
“But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
“The Lord watches over you” (Psalm 121:5), and “no weapon forged against you will prevail” (Isaiah 54:17).
As children of God, we are led by the Holy Spirit and, with the Spirit’s help, can recognize potential threats and dangers lurking outside our gates and stop them before they enter. God equips us to secure the gates of our hearts.
Opening the Gates to Our Hearts
In ancient cities, the gatekeeper closed the city gates at night to protect the city. But the city gates were opened during the day so the city could thrive. Markets were set up near the open gates, where people bought and sold food, clothing, and other necessities. Without open gates, the city would struggle and eventually die.
We also need to open the gates to our hearts—to the things that sustain us spiritually. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).
When we open our gates to Jesus, the King of Glory, we invite His love, grace, and justice into our hearts. David captured this beautifully in Psalm 24:7-10:
Open up, ancient gates!
Open up, ancient doors,
and let the King of Glory enter.
Who is the King of Glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty;
the Lord, invincible in battle.
Possessing the Gates of Our Enemies
Not only do we guard the gates of our own hearts, but through Christ, we also possess the gates of our enemies. God promised Abraham that his descendants would possess their enemies’ gates (Genesis 22:17). Because we belong to Christ, we are heirs to that promise (Galatians 3:29).
Jesus fulfilled this promise through His death and resurrection. He declared that “the gates of Hades will not overcome” His church (Matthew 16:18). Death was Hell’s ultimate power over us, but Jesus overcame it, leaving the enemy defeated and powerless.
If we already possess the gates of our enemies, why do we live as if we are defeated? The enemy only has the power we give it. We surrender control when we allow the enemy to influence what enters and exits our hearts. Take it back. Guard your heart as if your life depends on it—because it does!
Prayer
Father, thank you for giving me the strength through your Holy Spirit to guard the affections of my heart. I know that everything I do flows from it. Thank you for your Word as my guide and standard for what I see, hear, and say. I close my gates to the world’s lies and open them to You, the King of Glory. Thank you, Jesus, for the victory You’ve already won for me. In Your name, I pray, Amen.
💡 Looking for Direction in Life?
If you’ve ever felt spiritually or morally lost, unsure of where to go or how to find your way, you’re not alone. The good news is that God has already provided a map to guide us—His Word. It’s our unchanging, reliable source for navigating life’s challenges and finding true north.
Want to learn more about how God’s Word can transform your directionless wandering into purposeful living?👉Read this post about finding true north with God’s map.
Victory! Possessing the Gates of Our Enemies Through Christ
Making Him Known July 17, 2025 7:38 am