RESIST THE DEVIL

Scripture Reading - James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

We, as believers, are called upon not only to contend with an evil heart and an evil world, but also with evil spirits. Paul tells us in Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places”. These adversaries are banded together under one head – Satan. In speaking of the devil, we must include all his emissaries.

It's important to acknowledge right from the beginning we must be fully submitted to God if we are going to be empowered to make the devil flee from us. It all starts there. Without that, Satan can run all over us. We must fight him in our own power, but rather in God's power.

It's important to know your enemy. It's a mistake to underrate the importance of an enemy

Therefore, let's form a right assessment of our foe. Look at his power – Satan can inflame the mind and the evil desire of the soul. The reality is that while his power is enormous it is limited by the totality of the power of our God! Satan is diligent – Satan is described as continually “walking about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Satan is nobody's dummy. He's extremely diligent If he fails a hundred times, he only tries again. He is filled with malice. Satan envies every human happiness and seeks to undermine it. He can't stand for you to be happy. He's miserable and wants to spread his misery. He is sneaky. Satan is crafty and subtle. He is a hidden assassin rather than an open foe

He rarely attacks head on in the open. He has lots of experience at what he does. Satan has long studied human nature so he is very adept at deceiving mankind

We are called upon to resist rather than fight the devil. We are not to talk with him as a friend or compromise with him, but rather we are to resist him at every turn. We are not to give him a foothold in any way General Orders. Reading 1 Peter 5:8 we can get some instruction on dealing with this enemy. Be sober (sharp, alert) both physically and mentally. Be vigilant (keep awake; never off your guard). Be united – stand shoulder to shoulder with your allies. Weapons have been provide for us to face this enemy. These weapons are tried and true weapons. Of course the first weapon we have is the Word of God. It's important to know God's Word. Even Jesus, when He was tempted of the devil, quoted Scripture to satan. Past experience is a good weapon, as well. When Satan tries to tell you how little God will do for you, remind him how much God has already done for you. Earnest prayer is a very important weapon. I'm talking about the getting on your face and getting serious with God type of praying. Not this mamby pamby stuff that we see today. Allow God to become engaged in the conflict with you. 1 Samuel 17:47 “For the battle is the LORD'S” We also have impenetrable Armor (Ephesians 6:10-18). The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of readiness to spread the Good News, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. Put these things in place in your life. We are equipped!

The Word says once we resist him “he will flee from you”. This may not happen at first for there must be real resistance to his power. Keep in mind in this life, the flight is temporary. Satan leaves only to return. Each time we engage Satan and resist him equips us more to stand fast the next time. In the future there will be a final flight. Satan will flee never to return

The Christian life is a life of conflict with Satan. We must endure hardness if we are to be victorious 2 Timothy 2:3 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”. A Christian's life is a blessed one for even in the midst of the conflicts we face there is a rest in God,

Armour up...submit to God...be prepared...stand fast...resist the devil...and he will flee from you!

Until next time...enjoy the journey!

Ray

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