"Resist the Devil"

Question: How do you resist?

Answer 1: Submit yourself to God. “God resisteth the proud, but he giveth grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:6-7)

What does submitting look like? The humble accept God’s grace and wisdom. They don’t lean on their own understanding; they look to what God says He can do. The proud live by the world’s wisdom and means of the world.

It’s a battle for your mind. If you are saved by grace and living by the wisdom of the world and not by the wisdom of God, James calls that spiritual adultery. (James 4:4)

Definition of Resist: To fight back. To prevent by action or argument.

Answer 2: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Cor. 10:5) What was Christ’s obedience? His finished work at the cross. How does Christ’s work help us resist the devil? Christ’s finished work on the cross ushered in victory and His promises that we are more than conquerors, and all we have to do is believe and ask. His perfect love drives out fear.

Answer 3: Be sober-minded. Be in control of your thoughts and emotions; self-control, discreet, sensible, composed. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: (1 Peter 5:8)

The devil is as a lion. Who is the true Lion? Christ. The Lion of Judah. Why does the devil roar? To make us think God is angry with us. If you are afraid God is roaring/angry at you, you are ready to be devoured by the devil with his lies, doubts, fear, self-righteous anger, and so many other fiery darts aimed at your mind.

Not everyone is exposed. The devil has to seek whom he may devour. Are you angry at God? Is your mind full of doubt? Full of resentment? You are being devoured, consumed by these thoughts in your mind.

     How do you stop the onslaught? Renewing your mind in the Word. Who is your helmet of salvation? What does this insurance of salvation cover for you in this life?

     Definition of Salvation: preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss. John 10:10

"The thief's [the devil's] purpose is to steal and kill and destroy [your faith/believing God and life] (insert mine). My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."

Answer 4: Put on the whole armor of God. How? Ephesians 6:18 declares that we put on the armor of God “By praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. How do you pray in the Spirit? I submit to you: 1 Cor. 14:14-15, Jude 1:20,

Answer 5: Call on your victor, Jesus. “The Son of God was manifested to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8 The battle is the Lord’s.

Answer 6: Go boldly to the throne of grace. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.” (Heb. 4:16)

Answer 7: Speak God’s Word against the circumstances which is in your heart (doubt, fear, anger, resentment, hopelessness, etc.) What words of God can you say to resist such thoughts? Find them.

Answer 8: Fight the good fight. That means to fight for your faith. Faith in/believing what? Faith that we are righteous in Christ no matter our mistakes or what we’re going through. What is your faith? Faith is believing in things unseen. What are you believing that makes you condemn yourself? What are you believing that makes you resent God? Don’t you know God loves you and desires good things for you? Fight for your faith which is in the Son of God by grounding yourself in the Word of God, in the love of Christ.

Note: Losing faith is not losing salvation. You are sealed forever. Your mistakes, words, or anger are not stronger than the blood of Jesus. You’re going to heaven no matter what. Losing faith means your life will be more of a struggle, little hope, even depressing because you’ve forgotten Christ’s love for you in that He purged you from your old sins. 2 Peter even says you are blind:

“According to His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us unto glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these [by the promises] ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. [Lust means desires for things that aren’t yours.]

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge [knowledge of Christ]; and to knowledge temperance [moderation in all things]; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off [you can’t see clearly because you are spiritually closing your eyes to the truth], and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” 2 Peter 1:3-9