To Stand Against

James 4:7 "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (NKJV)

To resist: comes from two Greek words combined. In English we call these compound words. We combine the meanings of these words without losing the meaning of the individual words used. Same for Greek. The two words = "stand", and "against" resisting the devil is to stand against him.

It is unfortunate that this verse is used so often without the qualifier. Being a Christian does not necessarily mean that the devil has to leave you alone. UNLESS you are submitted to God. When we are submitted to the Lord, the devil's schemes cannot take hold and effect us how he intends.

To solve the problems of carnality and the strife it causes, we must resist . This means to stand against devil’s deceptions and his efforts to intimidate. As we resist the devil, we are promised that he will flee from us. James is challenging Christians to deal with Satan as a conquered foe who can and must be personally resisted. James tells us to stand against the devil. Satan can be sent running by the resistance of the believer who comes in the authority of what Jesus did on the cross, when we are submitted to that work.

Submit to God, the devil is already defeated. His intentions as a deceiver is to convince you otherwise. When you are submitted to the work of the cross, you can see that the war is actually won at the cross. This understanding can help you through the next battle, or the battle you might be in now.

Thanks for listening,

Hope this helps!

Chuck