Scripture
James 4:7
"Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Main Idea
True resistance is active and intentional, requiring believers to rely on God’s strength rather than their own willpower and to stand firm against temptation. It also emphasizes that spiritual resistance grows the more we submit to God, relying on the Word of God and rejecting the lies of the enemy. When believers live in ongoing submission and steadfast resistance, Scripture promises that the devil will flee and lose his hold.
1. Resistance Begins with Submission
Resisting the devil does not start with focusing on what the devil is doing. It starts with responding to what God is doing.
What area of your life do you sense God asking you to fully surrender right now?
2. Resistance Requires Resolve
You do not resist the devil by being passive. You resist by planting yourself under the authority of God and leaning against the attack.
Pastor David said that there are three ways to resist: reliantly, confidently, and radically. Which of these do you need to strengthen and how will you do so with more resolve this week?
3. Resistance Guarantees the Devil’s Retreat
When you submit yourself to God and resist the devil, the promise of Scripture is that the devil has to go.
In what way does the promise that the devil has to flee change how you handle temptation or spiritual battles? How does it impact how you approach this week?
Call To Action
Reflect:
When you look at your life, are there areas where you’ve stopped resisting, become passive or tired, stopped fighting, or haven’t fully submitted yourself to God?
Respond:
Every morning this week, take time to surrender yourself and your day to God, and you will begin to see His power at work against the attacks of the enemy.
Remember:
Every time a believer stands firm in faith and fully submits to God, the devil is forced to retreat and cannot remain where he is being resisted, because he ultimately must bow before King Jesus.
Care Form
If someone in your group needs care,
We want to be there for them. The James River Care team is designed to walk alongside people in every season – to celebrate life’s best moment and offer support through the challenging ones. We want to be there for the following life events:
- Marriage
- Births
- Hospitalization and deaths
- Questions or concerns
Please submit a request at: jamesriver.church/care-form
Additional Leader Resources
Please please visit jamesriver.church/lg-resources
For sermon notes and additional resources, visit the sermon page: Ready to Resist the Devil.
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