In choosing a text for this article, I felt led of the Lord to write on a topic that is very misunderstood and often overlooked by the church world today. That topic is spiritual warfare. The foundation for this study is found in the fourth chapter of the book of James.
James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
If you were to take a poll of church-going people in the U.S., and ask them questions concerning how to resist the devil, the need for resisting the devil, or does the devil even exist, the answers might shock you.
There are many people today that think this business of doing spiritual warfare, i.e. resisting the devil, is all foolishness. They deny the fact that the scriptures are very plain concerning the devil and his activities in this world.
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."
We can readily see from this verse in Ephesians that our battle is not against people! As born-again believers in Jesus Christ, we must recognize who our enemy is and deal with him in a scriptural fashion. Our enemy is the devil, known in the scriptures as Satan, Beelzebub, the prince of the power of the air, or as in II Corinthians 4:4, ". . . the god of this world . . . " He has many different names, but his character and objective remain the same. He is evil personified, and he's doing his best to bring trouble your way.
It's amazing how many people think the devil is in hell. The scriptures are very plain concerning the devil's whereabouts! He's in this world! Some think his headquarters are in hell. That couldn't be any further from the truth! In fact he's an outlaw spirit roaming about this earth along with legions of demons who are daily trying to influence people away from serving God. (I Peter 5:8) Hell is not a place that will be comfortable to the devil. It is a place of torment prepared for him and all those that do not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Let's get back to our foundational verse, James 4:7. It starts off, "Submit yourselves therefore unto God . . ." A key to resisting the devil is first being submitted to the Lord. The Greek word used for "submit" is "hupotasso" which means "to be subordinate or to be subject to." Through the act of accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, believing that He is God come in the flesh, you make your life subordinate to His. He becomes not only your Savior, but also your Lord. Along with salvation through the Blood of Jesus comes the right to use His name. It is referred to in legal terms as "power of attorney."
The latter portion of James 4:7 reads, ". . . resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The word used for "resist" in the Greek language means "to stand against or oppose." There is also an inference in the definition that this resisting is to be done with fervency. After you resist whatever the devil is trying to bring your way, the promise is clearly stated that ". . . he will flee from you." This phrase literally translates that he will vanish with stark terror, or in other words - leave quickly!
The devil is the author of all that is evil. God is the author of all that is good, pure, lovely and of a good report. (Philippians 4:8) The way to recognize the devil is to ask yourself questions when confronted with an issue in life: "Is what I see happening consistent with God's character or the devil's?" "What does the Word say about this?"
Remember, resisting the devil involves speaking at him. Always resist him in the name of Jesus! The name of Jesus is the weapon to which he must bow. Speak the Word over your life and the lives of those you pray for daily. Do not be afraid of the devil, speak boldly in the name of Jesus and resist the thoughts or problems that he brings your way.
Along with resisting the devil comes doing your part in your natural, everyday life. It may involve going to the doctor, taking medicine, turning off the television, etc. Put into practice what means you must to live pure and healthy before the Lord! Don't ever forget to attack the enemy behind the problems that arise in life. Resist him in the name of Jesus! If you'll do this consistently, make it your lifestyle, then you can boldly say that you are a member of the resistance and more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus!
