Resist the Devil
The apostle James wrote to the New Testament believers: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Here, the apostle gave both the method to overcome sin in the life and the assurance of the victory. But before God can bestow His “grace” (verse 6) for victory over sin, the “humble” believers must be willing to submit their will to God’s plan.
Because of the danger of self-righteousness and self-interest, we must first place ourselves under God’s command. Submission means complete trust that all God’s arrangements are for our own good (Hebrews 12:9). And He promises not to allow any temptation beyond our power of resistance (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Seek Divine Power
Though God is “not far from every one of us” (Acts 17:27), He nevertheless expects us to seek His strength (2 Chronicles 15:2; Psalm 145:18; Isaiah 55:6). We draw nigh to God by faith (Hebrews 7:25) and by true repentance (Hosea 14:1; Malachi 3:7). As sinners, we should feel the real wickedness of our sinful condition as in the Laodicean church (Revelation 3:17).
Divided friendship (James 4:4), internal strife (James 3:16; 4:1) and lust (James 4:1–5) should be put away so that God’s Spirit may work in us. God calls us to repent and leave our evil ways that we may obtain His favor and blessings. When we have genuine “godly sorrow,” over sin, we will experience “repentance to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10).
Use the Armor of God
The Lord clearly listed the weapons of our fight with the powers of darkness. Paul wrote, “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6:13). The full armor of God is:
- The truth – “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness” (verse 14).
- The gospel of peace – “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (verse 15).
- The shield of faith – “Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (verse 16).
- The helmet of salvation – “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (verse 17)
- The power of prayer – “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (verse 18).
Receive Victory
The Lord promised that if we would use the whole armor of God in fighting the power of darkness, the devil “will flee from” us (James 4:7). Christ’s victory over the devil in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11) was gained through submission and faith in God. And we should resist temptation as Christ did, by the word “it is written” (Matthew 4:4,7,10). Thus, we can find shelter in the strength of Christ and cause the devil to tremble and run away.
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
