Daily Diary - April 7th 2016

Resist The Devil

We live in a world that is constantly throwing temptation into our path.  This temptation is designed to draw us away from God.  The Word of God tells us how to turn back the plan of the enemy that is trying to control our lives.

James 4:6-8 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says:

“God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

To get the devil to flee from us we need to resist him.

Webster’s Dictionary

resist|riˈzist|

verb [ trans. ]

withstand the action or effect of :

• succeed in ignoring the attraction of (something wrong or unwise)

Question:  Will you resist the attraction of something wrong or unwise today?

We all face temptations on a daily basis and have the ability to choose our direction. 

God revealed to me in verse 6 that God resists the proud.  So we need to take this definition of “resist” and also apply it to what God say’s.  He resists the proud.  We do not want God to resist us so we need to watch our pride.  I also realize that it is somewhat comparing being proud to the devil that is in verse 7.  God resists the proud and then He say’s “resist” the devil and He will flee.  He is comparing pride to the devil.

Many times our “pride” is the enemy of our lives.  It was pride that enticed Eve to eat the apple.  Pride in this sense is about a person being their own “god”, and relying on their own unwise decisions as their source.  It all ties together.

Revelation:  Each time I have read this scripture I would skip to the “Resist” the devil part without taking notice of what it say’s prior to that.  It says “Submit to God”.  We often get God’s word out of order.  If we submit to God it will allow us to resist the devil.  God’s word is perfect and we must follow the plan accordingly.  His instructions are specific and will work in our lives the way He designed it. 

If our focus is to submit to God first, it will empower us to resist the devil. 

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life is not of the Father but is of the world.

If we submit to God we resist the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.  If we can do so the devil will flee from us.  It is our job to draw near to God, because He will draw near to us.  It’s our choice today to submit to God and resist the devil so he will flee.

Father God show us the areas that the devil temps us so we can resist His plan.  Strengthen our faith and submission to the knowledge of the word so we can make great choices in Jesus name! Amen