Albert Barnes Commentary Ephesians 4:27

"neither give place to the devil." — Ephesians 4:27 (ASV)

Neither give place to the devil. This probably refers to the exhortation in the previous verse: "Do not yield to the suggestions and temptations of Satan, who would take every opportunity to persuade you to cherish unkind and angry feelings and to maintain a spirit of resentment among fellow believers." Many of our feelings, when we suppose we are merely defending our rights and securing what is our own, are produced by the temptations of the devil. The heart is deceitful; and seldom more deceitful in any case than when someone is attempting to vindicate themselves from injuries done to their person and reputation. The devil is always busy when we are angry, and in some way, if possible, will lead us into sin; and the best way to avoid his wiles is to curb the temper and restrain even sudden anger. No one sins by restraining their anger; no one who indulges it, even for a moment, is certain that they will not sin.