Topic: Stand up against

Text: James 4:7

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

In spiritual warfare, much of what happens is either you attack your adversary or you are defending yourself. There is no place for being passive or indifferent. Your life or victory depends on less than a moment’s decision.

To resist something is to keep it at bay or to fend off its influence or advance Why would you want to resist the devil? Why on earth should you make it your business to fend off Lucifer’s influence or advance in your life? Your well-articulated answer to these questions will determine whether you will win or lose in spiritual warfare.

Two illustrations come to mind as l ponder on some biblical examples of people that fared poorly in battle; The Ephraimites, armed with bows and arrows, ran away on the day of battle. Psalm 78:9

That is why the soldiers of Israel could not stand [and defend themselves] before their enemies; they turned their backs [and ran] before them because they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from among you. Joshua 7:12

People who should be in battle ran and could not stand up against or fend off their adversaries, why did this happen in both cases? God has not asked you as a believer to earn your victory by yourself, but you are required to resist the enemy. You have to stand your ground against the activities of the devil in your life by resisting the influence or advance in any territory God has given you.

This does not mean to me that you make the devil\’s business your business or that you wake up every day looking for where the devil is working and engaging yourself in fending him off; It speaks more to keep your territory. God promised Joshua that every place he stepped foot on will be given to him, and God kept faith with him. Sometimes when the enemy came up against them and there was sin in their midst the enemy prevailed and took back territory from them. They recovered their possession when they fixed the problem that made God withdraw his covering and grace.

Engaging in warfare requires force, it is not done lying on the sofa or reclining at the beach with a carefree attitude. There is an expected outcome when you resist the devil in the right way; Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. How do you resist an enemy you cannot see? How do you fend him off from those you love? How do you prevent his advance in your health or business? This is the reason for this devotional. Know yourself, your weapons, your enemy, and your warfare.

Above all, prepare yourself with the right attitude or mindset, knowing that your weapons are for advance or resistance not for a retreat.  What might hinder you from effectively resisting the devil in spiritual warfare, can you think through them and begin addressing them before we advance against him.

We are more than conquerors already, the victory has been won, we have all we need to overcome. For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. 1 John 5:4 Note, that it is our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God] that gives us victory not anything else! Spend a few minutes in praise and thanksgiving to God who has given us victory already.

Hallelujah!

Roses&Thorns