RESIST THE ENEMY AT ALL TIMES

In James 4:7 from theEnglish Standard Version (ESV), it reads:

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

There are two forces at work in our daily lives. One force is to submit to the authority of God, and the other, to submit to the devil, the evil one. These two forces are at war in our flesh. The desire to please one and not the other. You have a choice to make in your decision to choose whom you will serve. Joshua said in Joshua 24:15, "And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” 

I pray that you will chose to submit to God. You submit to God voluntarily and freely, in obedience to His commands through humility, purity and sincerity of life. Submission is total surrender of your life to Christ Jesus; complete subjection or yielding to His will. When you submit your will to God, you are energized to be able to resist the devil.

To resist is to stand bravely against something. Why are we called upon to resist the devil? The devil comes in all forms of manner and shapes? He masquerades as an angel of light or a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. He approaches us with allurements, flattering promises, fascinations of the world, temptations, threats and sufferings. But the ultimate aim of all these is to destroy or devour you. Satan uses well-crafted deceptions and threats to achieve his aims. He comes to us with fake courage so he has to be resisted directly, rather than by arguments. Steadfastly refuse to yield to him in the slightest degree. You must oppose the devil in whatever way he may approach you. Never go any length in yielding or complying with his demands. You are not safe if you yield in the least to the suggestions of the tempter. You are safe if you don't yield. 

You can resist him with the weapons of resistance which include:

• Faith (1 Peter 5:9English Standard Version (ESV) 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.

•  humble prayer
• heavenly wisdom
• Putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.) What is the armor of God? You can find this in Ephesians 6:10-18 below

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,

When you contend with the enemy, he has no choice than to flee. This is the assurance that we have in the Lord. He may return again, and again, yet you still resist, he will still be overcome, you are never conquered so long as you do not consent. You remain victorious!

Satan must be looked upon as an enemy who has to be fiercely opposed, watched and guarded against.

It is my prayer today, that you will continually resist the devil until he flees by putting on the whole armor of God. May the Lord renew your strength to be able to fight each day in this life. Amen