Many people in the world today do not believe in or doubt the existence of God, the devil, or evil spirits[1]. Atheists, pragmatists, and evolutionists believe that their lives are guided by sight and practical applications. They refuse to accept the reality of a sovereign God who created everything and the forces of evil that adversely affect our daily lives.
In the Garden of Eden, Satan wreaked his havoc upon mankind when he tempted Adam and Eve into sin. Since the fall of mankind, we have been subject to the incessant intrusion of the devil into our lives.
But God is good. He has equipped us with His Word and all the tools needed to counter the attacks of the Enemy. When we call upon God, we can rest assured that He is with us and ready to help us navigate and conquer sinful intrusions of evil.
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What Does It Mean To Submit To God, Resist The Devil?
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.—James 4:7
In the desert, Jesus was tempted three times by the devil. But each time, the Lord called upon God and declared the truth of the Scripture. The devil finally relented and fled from our Messiah. We all face the same battles daily. Left on our own, we are powerless over evil, temptation, and doubt. We need God’s help to resist the devil and overcome any difficulty.
The apostle James declares that submitting to God is the best way to defeat the devil (James 4:7). It is a sign of humility, recognizing that God is more powerful than Satan and that we must rely on Him for protection from evil.
As we submit to God and to His Word, we can resist the devil. When we submit to God, we must have faith that He will protect us and give us the courage to stand against the devil’s lies. God is the ultimate power, and He has given us the strength and courage we need to resist the devil. By trusting in Him and in His Word, we can stand firm against temptation, knowing that He will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.
God’s will must always come first in our lives if we are to have the strength to resist the devil’s temptations. Submit yourselves therefore to God and humbly obey Him in all things. When we do this, we will be victorious over the enemy’s plans and schemes.
Will Resistance Cause The Devil To Flee?
Humility
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.—James 4:10
Humility is a trait that many of us strive for, and for good reason. It sets us apart from the world and its temptations, allowing us to stand firm in our faith in Jesus Christ. James 4:6 reads: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. When we humble ourselves and resist the devil, he will flee from us.
Pride is the enemy of humility. It is the antithesis of the grace and compassion that Jesus shows to the humble. We must not forget that Satan is the father of pride and lies. He continually schemes and tempts us to fall off the path of righteousness. When we are humble, we are more confident in who we are and our ability to resist temptation.
Humility gives us the strength to stand firm in our faith and turn away from the devil’s schemes. Jesus Christ said that he who humbles himself will be exalted (Matthew 23:12). It is also important to remember that when we are humble, we are more likely to receive mercy and more grace from God.
Sober-Minded And Alert
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.—1 Peter 5:8–9
Satan and his evil cohorts are real. We need to be on constant watch for anything that may be an open door for his schemes. Satan is a master of disguise, often presenting worldly temptations and distractions as if they are harmless. We must be sober-minded and alert, to recognize and reject these lies.
We must be especially watchful when we are feeling weak, stressed, or depressed. It is during these times that the enemy can gain the upper hand if we let our guard down. We must be determined to fight his lies and be unmoved, no matter how difficult it may be. We must also be careful to avoid compromising our faith and values.
Too often, we are tempted to take a shortcut or make a compromise in order to fit in or gain acceptance. We must be firm and reject these temptations, and stay true to ourselves and our beliefs. We must be mindful of our actions, vigilant in our faith, and aware of our surroundings. By doing so, we can successfully stand firm against the deceptions of the Evil One, and we can live a life of faith and hope in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Stay Firm In The Faith
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.—1 Corinthians 16:13–14
The devil is real, and he is out to destroy us. We must stay firm in our faith to resist him and his schemes. To do this, we must have courage, strength, and love. We must also keep the gospel of Jesus Christ as our foundation. The devil can tempt us with sin and lies, but we must remain steadfast and refuse to give in to his temptations. We must keep our eyes on Jesus and remember that He has already won the victory over the evil one.
We must also remember to keep our focus on the love of God, His grace, and His promises. His love is the only thing that can protect us from the schemes of the devil. So let us stand strong in faith, have courage, and pray for more grace, as we resist the devil and his schemes.
Let us remember that Jesus has already won the victory. Let us share God’s Scripture and the gospel of Jesus Christ with those around us. Let us stay firm in our faith and not be double-minded. Remember that the devil will flee when we stand in the strength of the Lord.
Spiritual Warfare
I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.—Luke 10:19
The Scripture clearly reveals that our lives are a constant battleground between good and evil. The Bible also narrates the historical accounts of our prophets and forefathers who struggled with the Enemy. Jesus Christ also had a remarkable encounter with the devil in the desert. In this arid place, Jesus was tempted by the devil three times. The devil promised everything to Him if He would just capitulate and bow down to Satan.
But Jesus prevailed. He used the mighty power of God’s Word. Moreover, He was prepared for the encounter through fasting and prayer. Realizing that he lost the battle, the devil left. In a similar manner, our battle with the Enemy requires preparation, faith, courage, and the truth of God’s Word.
How To Resist The Devil?
Put On The Whole Armor Of God
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.—Ephesians 6:12
In our daily existence, the Bible says that the Enemy is roaming around looking for someone to devour. Satan and his cohorts lurk everywhere—in our home, workspace, and the streets. Like a thief in the night, the devil always uses his cunning schemes to lure us into sin and his kingdom of darkness. In order to avoid Satan’s attacks and repel them, we should always pray on all occasions and wear God’s full armor:
- The belt of truth
- The breastplate of righteousness
- Feet with the gospel of peace
- The shield of faith
- The helmet of salvation
- The sword of the Spirit (The Word of God)
Conclusion
The existence of Satan and his evil spirits is real. But God is also a reality. He is our Creator, who also made all things in the universe. Our daily lives are marred by the intrusion of evil, which isolates and derails us from our holy walk with God. This battle is a reality that we have to contend with every day until the arrival of the end of times and the Kingdom of Heaven.
Submit yourselves therefore to God and remain sober-minded. Let God work His will on us. He has also graciously equipped us with His Word and the spiritual tools necessary to resist the devil and lead a holy and righteous life.