Resist the Devil

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

James 4:7

This is something easy to quote, but very hard to do. Giving God total control. An Isaiah “Here I am” type of submission (Isaiah 6:8).

If you are like me, it is very hard for me to hand over anything physically, mentally, or even Spiritually. I struggle daily with this... It’s not really because I think I can do things better. It’s mostly because I don’t want to bother someone else with my problems (including God), even though He tells us time and time again in His word to do just that (1 Peter 5:7). Submit fully and give Him everything including our problems, our worries, and our lives. He wants us to trust that He has us!

Jesus submitted to God and used scripture to fight off Satan. He gave us an example of how to defeat temptation.

Resist the devil… Goodness, do I struggle with this. I know I struggle with this because I don’t fully submit to God. Satan and his demons always try to throw any temptation they can at us. Whether it is drugs, alcohol, pornography, sexual desires, food, money… Satan will use any of these things or more to tempt us fall into sin.

Take a minute to read Matthew 4:1-11. Jesus was in the wilderness and had not eaten for 40 days (I struggle fasting for even one day). What did Satan tempt Him with first? Food. Satan waited until Jesus was at his very weakest. Jesus submitted to God and used scripture to fight off Satan. He gave us an example of how to defeat temptation. Satan will come at us in our weakest moments just like he did with Jesus. He will offer us what we think we need the most and he will do his best to try and make us fall.

We have to stand firm in God’s Word. Read it, study it, and apply it to our lives. We need to make sure we are putting on the armor of God daily (Ephesians 6:10-18). We have to stay prayed up and in fellowship with God. When we do these things God will give us the strength to flee and run from any temptation that Satan throws at us (James 4:7).

I am so thankful Jesus made a way for us and led by example!

What do YOU need to start resisting?