Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7
Conquerors throughout the ages have emphasized, “know your enemy.” It is said, when you know your enemy and know yourself, you do not have to fear the result! That principle is also at play in the spiritual world.
Satan, the deceiver, has been working the same battle plan since the beginning of time. He tempts humans to turn their hearts away from God, trying to steal God’s glory in His creation. He does this by lying and deceiving people. He blinds the minds of unbelievers so they will not recognize God’s goodness and salvation. He hides his deceptions and puffs people up with selfish pride and self-righteousness. The aim of the enemy is to cause people to reject God and embrace sin rather than loving the Lord with their hearts.
Yes, the devil is a powerful enemy, but a defeated one! God won the war. But there is a battle still being fought. What will you do the next time temptation presents itself? Will you choose to submit to the Lord? Will you surrender to His way or insist on going your own?
“Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:5). You will win your next conflict by living the Lord’s way. “Not by might, nor by power, but my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zachariah 4:6). Pray for those in authority in America to discover their identity and strength in Christ.
Today’s Verse: James 4:7
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 John 3:4-8
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
