Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7
Some years ago, an article appeared in The New York Times titled, “Is Satan Real? Most People Think Not.” The article cited research by the Barna Group that surveyed over 1,000 people asking whether they believed Satan to be a living being or just a symbol of evil. Only 30 percent responded that they thought Satan was a living being. In the American Worldview Inventory of 2020 released by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, led by researcher George Barna, 51 percent believe God is an “all powerful, all-knowing, perfect and just creator of the universe who still rules the world today.” Thirty years earlier the number was 73 percent. Both God and Satan are alive; both are working on Planet Earth. However, only God will be victorious at the end.
Theologian John Piper says, “The rise of Satanism is another sign of the times—that the Lord’s coming is near.” The antidote for the Christian is given in today’s verse. “Submit… resist.” Both words in the Greek are imperatives. They are mandates. Biblical scholar J. Alec Motyer said, “Submission to God is the fabric, the attitude, that should be woven into every area of our life, every day of our life.” Submitting means letting go of doing things your way, and humbly placing yourself under the authority of the Word of God. Piper would add that includes a whole lot of praying.
While Satan is powerful, God is far more powerful. Theologian Warren Wiersbe says, “Before we can stand before Satan, we must bow before God.” Resisting the devil without the power that comes from submitting to the Lord is a losing battle. But, aligning yourself to the Savior in humble submission means that your resistance to the evil one will cause him to flee! Submit first, then resist, taking your stand against the adversary in the strength and power of the Lord. Pray for your fellow believers to unite in this goal of submission and resistance. Failure to submit to God results in submission to evil. Place yourself squarely on the Lord’s side and stand firm holding to the promise of 1 John 4:4, “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
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: James 4:4-10
4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt 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.
