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

As believers, we face so many obstacles that can take us away from serving the Lord. We have thoughts that control us, wants that consume us and feelings that move us. Because none of us were born understanding God’s ways, our natural inclinations work against living out a Spirit-filled life. Coming to Christ means that we lay aside our natural inclinations and ask the Lord to fill us with His wisdom instead. That process is known as submitting. To submit means to be under obedience. So we take what we want to do, what we feel is right to do and what we think is best and tell the Lord that we want His Will instead. Waiting on God and trusting Him begins.

To resist the devil means that, after we have submitted to God, we go to the Word of God to counteract our thoughts, feelings and wants. The devil is fully aware of who we are and how we think. As a result, he uses our desires to entice us to keep from submitting. We start questioning the love of God and His motivation. We begin to fear and hold on to our thoughts, feelings and wants, instead of trusting and letting go. We have to realize that the devil is alive and well. His desire is to use your fleshly desires against you so that you sin against God.

Jesus resisted the devil by the Word of God. Now, if the Living Word, Jesus, needed to speak forth the written Word, the Bible, to resist the devil and have him flee, how much more do we need to submit to God in this pattern also? Trust Him; in faith speak forth and pray the Word of God. Believe Him, submit to Him and the devil will flee from you. It is a promise–God’s promise!

When I read this it blessed me, we must always remember, The One and only Truth, The Bible, is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. We must never add to nor take away from it. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;). Look to God for all things, trust Him completely and remind the enemy of his failures, he was already defeated long ago, he is now grasping for whatever and whoever he can take down with him, don’t give him the power that has already been taken from him. You are strong in Christ, you are an overcomer. Equip yourself by prayer, fasting and reading The Word and remember, he who kneels most, stands best. 

Make today beautiful!

Today’s Reading is 2 Timothy 3:16-17,