Anchor My Faith

Author: Stephen Weller
1,343 words, 7 minutes read time

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Submit To God, Resist the Devil

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 ESV)

This verse is found in a section titled “Warning Against Worldliness” in the ESV Study Bible. In particular, it is found in a small group of five verses about what we should do: 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.”

God extends grace to those who are humble, but to the proud he sends judgment because they have chosen the praise and the methods of the world and is so doing, they act as God’s enemies (James 4:4). Since “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18 ESV), we need to humble ourselves before the Lord and he will exalt us and give us more grace.

As we walk with God in his grace, verses 7 through 9 instruct us on things we should do. With this lesson, we will limit our focus on verse 7, which contain two things, and if done a desirable result will follow.

First, we are to submit ourselves to God; to accept and yield to his authority in loving, humble obedience. When we consider the mercy God extended to us and the kindness and provision of his grace, how can we not submit ourselves to him and learn of him and from him, but it is easy to notice some of the world’s offerings and be tempted to allow friendship to form with the world, whose god is the devil.

Second, as we submit to God, we must protect ourselves from friendship with the world by resisting the devil. To do that, we are to “give no opportunity to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27 ESV) and “put on the whole armor of God, that [we] may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11 ESV).  We are to ⁸ “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. ⁹ Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world” (1 Peter 5:8 – 9 ESV).

I don’t see very much resisting the devil in the western church, but instead we have become friends with the world and its things and comforts, and as a result we have become like the world. Being like them, we have little affect on them and as a result experience little persecution from them. But as friends of the world, we can expect coming judgment from God.

If we honestly submit ourselves to God and continue to faithfully walk with him and take steps to resist the temptations the devil places before us, then he will flee from us as he did when Jesus resisted him. Each time the devil tempted him, Jesus resisted with Scripture and when the temptations were finished, the devil departed from him until an opportune time (Luke 4:13). This “opportune time” is a warning to us that he is always watching our walk with the Lord to seize an opportunity.

Father, we have before us a sobering lesson in the damage done to the church by our friendship with the world. As a result, the world does not see changed dynamic lives displaying God’s love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness, and as a result there is little desire on their part to embrace our Lord who sacrificed his life for our salvation.

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Summary Theme

True spiritual victory begins with humble submission to God and active resistance against the devil.

Summary Paragraph

James 4:7 presents a clear and powerful command for believers facing temptation, spiritual conflict, and the dangers of pride. After calling his readers to humility before God, James instructs them to submit themselves completely to God’s authority and will. Submission is not weakness but willing obedience to the Lord. At the same time, believers are commanded to resist the devil by standing firmly against his temptations, lies, and influence. The promise attached to this command is encouraging: when believers resist in God’s strength, the devil will flee. This verse teaches that spiritual victory is not achieved through human power but through a life surrendered to God and steadfast in faith.

Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:

1. What does it mean to “submit yourselves therefore to God”?

Answer:
To submit to God means to place ourselves willingly under His authority and leadership. It involves surrendering our plans, desires, attitudes, and actions to His will. Submission is an act of humility that acknowledges God as Lord and recognizes that His wisdom is greater than our own. Rather than resisting God’s direction, believers trust Him and obey His Word. This submission is not forced but is a loving response to God’s grace and goodness. As we submit to God, we position ourselves to receive His strength, guidance, and protection.

2. Why is submission to God necessary before resisting the devil?

Answer:
James places submission before resistance because spiritual victory begins with dependence upon God. Believers cannot successfully resist Satan through human determination alone. Submission places us under God’s authority and empowers us through His Spirit. When we are walking in obedience and fellowship with God, we are better able to recognize temptation and stand against it. Resistance becomes effective because it is carried out in God’s strength rather than our own. The order of the verse reminds us that victory over evil flows from a right relationship with God.

3. How do believers resist the devil?

Answer:
Believers resist the devil by rejecting his lies, refusing temptation, standing firmly on God’s truth, and remaining faithful in prayer and obedience. Jesus demonstrated this during His temptation in the wilderness by answering Satan with Scripture. Resistance involves recognizing sinful influences and choosing God’s way instead. It may include avoiding situations that encourage sin, filling the mind with God’s Word, seeking accountability from other believers, and relying on the Holy Spirit’s power. Resistance is not passive; it is an intentional stand against everything that opposes God’s will.

4. What does the promise “he will flee from you” teach about spiritual warfare?

Answer:
This promise reveals that Satan is not equal to God and does not have unlimited power over believers. When Christians stand firmly in God’s strength and refuse to yield to temptation, the devil’s influence is broken. The promise does not mean temptations will never return, but it does mean that Satan cannot ultimately prevail against a believer who remains faithful to God. God has already secured victory through Jesus Christ, and believers share in that victory as they trust and obey Him. This assurance provides confidence and encouragement in spiritual battles.

5. How does James 4:7 encourage believers today?

Answer:
James 4:7 offers hope and practical guidance for every believer facing temptation, discouragement, or spiritual attack. The verse reminds Christians that they are not powerless. God invites them to draw near to Him, submit to His authority, and rely on His strength. No matter how strong a temptation may seem, God provides the ability to stand firm. The promise that the devil will flee encourages believers to remain faithful and persistent in their walk with Christ. Through humble dependence upon God, Christians can experience victory, peace, and spiritual growth.

Key Lesson

The path to spiritual victory is simple but powerful: submit completely to God, stand firmly against the devil, and trust God’s promise that evil will not prevail.