Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
James 4:7.
This is something that I have been pondering lately. What does it mean to resist the devil?
Here is just a few thoughts to consider. First consider this verse to find how the enemy is working.
In which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. Eph 2:2, 3
We are to resist (stand against, oppose) the devil to do this it is necessary for us to stand against, to resist the ways of this world. The way this is done is to submit to God first without submitting to God first we cannot effectively resist the devil, this is where the issue begins, we must desire and endeavor to live our true Father's will more then our own will. This world's way is the way of lust, unbridled desires, lack of self control. We are not to run wild chasing and fulfilling every desire that comes to mind and the things the world is chasing after. First this will take submission to our loving God and Father then discipling our minds and then our resulting actions to think and act the way God reveals to us we are to live. Where do we find this way?
In God’s Word and in the way we see believers in the Word of God lived and in the way we see believers today who are walking in truth live. It is written that Jesus endured great contradiction of sinners against himself, so must we.
Today think about what you think about, what you say and do. Does it line up with the life God called you to? If not then you can start the change today. If not you can ask for help. We should not forget what we sow is what we reap if we plant in our hearts and with others God's love and truth then this will come back to us if we sow in corruption we will reap corruption. The life, joy and peace we want in out hearts is right there if we will submit and resist and follow God’s perfect plan for our lives.
Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:16
The life we desire truly is available now if we will make the change. We can because Jesus Christ blazed the trail for us.
F.C. Farwell
