“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Jas.4.7
Discussion
Two instructions given to us in our opening verse. First, submit yourself to God. Second, resist the devil. Then the resultant effect, he will flee from you. It's amazing how many Christians ignore the first instruction, but attempt to follow the second instruction with a desire to get the same result. It doesn't work that way. Submission to God starts with salvation. So, I'm talking to those who are born again by believing in the resurrection of Jesus the son of God. If you aren't born again, it means you're not saved and you're heading for eternal condemnation (John 3:18). There's only one way out, His name is Jesus. If you would believe with your heart that he rose from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9-10, Acts 8:36-37). That's primarily what it means to be submitted to God. But there are folks who say they believe in Jesus but live their lives contrary to the Christ they claim to believe in. These folks aren't submitted to God. Submission to God is more than mouthing religious cliches.
A believer in Christ is not known by his speech alone but much more by his character. He has crucified the flesh and its lusts; Gal.5.24; "And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." Now here's the matter at hand; you cannot get rid of the devil if you're dinning with the devil. Many people don't want to live according to the Spirit but they want to resist the devil in their lives. Not going to happen! The power to successfully resist the devil comes from submission to God. The more you live carnally, the more the devil resists your resistance. If you try to get rid of the devil in some matter in your life, but you harbour malice in your heart against anyone, or you're envious of a brother/sister, or allow lust to lead you to sexual immorality, or refuse to forgive someone who hurt you, you'll be giving power to the devil to mount resistance against your resistance. Maybe for example the devil is after your health and you're trying to receive your healing. If you refuse to let go of offence, he'll oppose you and hinder you from receiving your healing. This happens in many areas of your life. If you want to walk fully in the victory given to you in Christ Jesus, you must stop fellowshipping with the devil. Submit to God, resist the devil, and HE WILL flee from you. Shalom Uvracha!
Meditation
Jas.4.7 — Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.