Submit and then Resist

“So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

James 4:7 NET

I can't tell you how many times I've read this scripture and used this scripture...but somehow in most of those times, I usually focus on the last part of the verse, you know, the resisting the devil part. I used to think that if I resisted the devil then he would flee...period...end of discussion. Right? Not even close. I always would overlook the first part of that verse...the submitting to God part. With all my resisting the devil, he wasn't fleeing. In fact, it seemed at times like conditions got worse. Without submitting to God, we are using our own strength. While that might work for a time, it is not lasting and you eventually end up right where you started from. We've got to realize that we can't do it on our own, it must be God....and in order for it to be God, we've got to submit to Him. If you and I think we can go through life submitting to Him only when its convenient for us, we will have a life filled with troubles upon troubles upon troubles, and never walk in peace. When we submit to God, we are acknowledging that 1) we love Him, 2) we trust Him, 3) we can't do it on our own, and 4) we need Him. Submitting is not always easy. It may mean doing something we don't want to do. At those times you've got to stand your ground and tell yourself, "self, I'm going to submit to God and do things His way!"

Take Away: if you want to walk in victory and peace, you've got to submit to God first. Then and only then can you resist the devil, and when you do, the devil must flee.