Resist the Devil
James 4:7-8
James 4:7–8 (NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Hupotassomai: To align oneself under the authority of another.
Which means: The more submitted you are to God’s authority – the more resistant your life is to the devil’s attack!
1. Resisting Starts with Submitting
James 4:7 (NIV) Submit yourselves, then, to God.
2. Resisting Strengthened by Resisting
James 4:7b (NIV) Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
How do you resist?
Humbly
Ephesians 6:10 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.
Confidently
James 4:7b (NIV)
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
1 John 4:4b (NIV)
The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
1 John 2:14b (NIV)
I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God lives in you, and you have overcome the evil one.
Aggressively
1 Peter 5:8–9a (NLT) Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.
3. Resisting is Sustained by Coming Close to God
James 4:8a (NIV)
Come near to God and he will come near to you.
Deuteronomy 4:7 (NIV)
What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?
"Step toward God, and He will sprint toward you. Spring toward God, and he will fly to you!" - Kent Hughes
