Have I resisted the devil?
Yesterday
We began to focus on ‘how‘ one becomes humble, seeing it 1st begins in submission to God.
Today
We will pick up where we left off in verse 7 to see what it means to resist the devil.
Open GODcha to the Book of James.
NOTE:
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You can print off this post and put in a Notebook!
Let’s Pray
Oh Lord, I pray that you would open up Your holy Word to us today and grant us the understanding we need to humble ourselves before You. May we bow in submission to be humble! Thank you!
LOOK at What God Says
Let’s pick up where we left off.
Open GODcha’s LOOK Section.
What will you do first?
READ God’s Word
Read James 4:6-10 again.
We are learning the most critical skill there is to seeing God’s Word correctly!
KEEP LOOKING
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LISTEN Up!
Remember there are 10 commands right here that we are LOOKING at!
We saw the 1st, is to submit to God.
Let’s finish LOOKING at verse 7 and concentrate.
Unlock the Meaning 
Let’s take a peek at ‘resist’ that is 
Key.
What does it mean to ‘resist the devil’?
Understand God’s Words
Check Out the Meaning
Dictionary Tutorial >Resist, anthístēmi; to stand against.
Let’s not forget to check the Grammar.
The Grammar: ‘resist’ is Aorist Imperative Active, aima.
Aorist tense – is like a snapshot, showing an action occurs.
Imperative mood – usually is a command.
A person must stand against the devil.
Active voice – the subject performs the action.
You take your stand against the devil, the enemy.
Devil, diábolos; specially Satan:—false accuser, devil, slanderer.
Understand: The devil, Satan, is the chief of the fallen angels, ‘the prince of devils’ (Mt 9:34; 12:24; Mk 3:22; Lk 11:15), called also ‘the ruler of this world,’ as ruling in the hearts of worldly and wicked men (Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).
TIP: Remember to take the meanings back to the text.
“Resist (stand against) the devil, (Satan:—false accuser, devil, slanderer) and he will flee from you.”
THINK and REASON: Before one can resist the devil, they must submit to God.
Understand: When a person shifts their loyalty, their allegiance, to God, submitting to Him, (placing themselves under His authority), they have automatically taken a stand against the devil, and he leaves!
LOOK at Other Truths About
Resisting the Devil
CR-Cross References-Word Search Tutorial >
Why must we resist the devil?
Who is the devil?
What does he do?
a. You formerly walked according to the course of the world, the devil is the prince of the power of the air, he controls and rules the world, now working in the sons of disobedience. (Eph 2:2)
Understand: Believer’s were once ‘sons of disobedience’, under the devil’s power and leadership, formerly serving him.
Understand: There is no middle ground, either we submit to God, to Christ, and Jesus is our Lord and Master,
OR
we submit to the devil, and he is our master.
b. The devil is a murderer; does not stand on the truth; he speaks lies; is the father of lies. (Joh 8:44)
c. The devil sinned from the beginning. He that commits sin is of the devil.
Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. (1Jo 3:8)
d. The devil is the believer’s adversary, prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1Pe 5:8)
Understand: Being our adversary means the devil is our opponent, an accuser, our enemy.
e. The devil demanded permission to sift Peter like wheat. (Luk 22:31)
Understand: The devil wants to sift believer’s like wheat.
f. Jesus came to render the devil powerless. (Heb 2:14)
Understand: The devil has no power over a believer.
g. So don’t sin, don’t give the devil an opportunity. (Eph 4:27)
From all we have seen thus far,
How do the proud resist the devil?
In other words, what must the proud do?
Understand:
Before one is a believer in Christ, they are completely under the devil’s control.
Once a person submits to God, they have taken their stand against the devil.
Now, the devil has no control over believers. The things we do now are our choice.
Commune With God
Did you hear Him speak?
LISTEN…
Am I still walking according to the world’s wisdom, thus under the power and control of the devil?
Or, have I submitted to God, and Jesus is my Lord and Master, thus taking a stand against the devil?
If I haven’t resisted the devil, wouldn’t I like to? What will I do?
Respond to God…LIVE it out!
That’s It For Today!
Tomorrow we will LOOK a bit more at ‘resisting the devil’.
But for now, Chew on every morsel of God’s food about taking a stand against the devil.
Talk to your Gracious, Almighty God, about saying no to self and the world, and yes to Him.
He loves you and me, and wants each one of us to Himself!
NOTE and SAVE What God Has Taught You!
As we bring this day to a close, journal your discovery and communion with the Lord in your Notes – save them forever!
Turn What You LEARNED into a Prayer
Perhaps:
OH FATHER GOD, we praise You who are ALL Powerful. Oh Father, help us to understand the difference between being Your enemy versus not being Your enemy. As we all examine ourselves, I ask that our eyes be opened, and may Your Truth penetrate our hearts. Your Word is to lead us and guide us in Your ways, reproving us, renewing our minds and transforming us, (1Ti 3:16-17); (Rom 12:2). When we know Your Truth, it sets us free, (Joh 8:32). If there be any like I once was, who did not realize until now, they are a son or daughter of disobedience, controlled by the devil, the prince of the power of the air, still living for self and the world, oh may their hearts be stirred, and may they desire to submit to You. And by placing themselves under Your authority, may they know, that they know, they have taken a stand against the devil, and he no longer has the power to control them. I ask this in Your name, Lord Jesus, the Name that is above every name, the Name that every knee shall bow, (Phil 2:9-10)! Amen!
Next: we will zoom in a to see ‘how‘ one who submits to God, practices resisting the devil.
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