RESISTING THE DEVIL

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7). Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world" (1 Pet 5:8-9).

Devotion 15 of 15

SOME FINAL CONSIDERATIONS
SATAN HINDERS

"Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan hindered us" (1 Thess 2:18).

If the best of Apostles experienced the hindering influences of Satan while engaged in the work of the Lord, you may rest assured you will confront the same!

TEMPTATION LEADS TO VANITY

"For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labor be in vain" (1 Thess 3:5).

It is possible for one to be taught properly, respond properly, and still come short of the reward. If you do not keep the faith, maintaining your grasp upon the Gospel of the grace of God, the tempter will gain the advantage. In such a case, those who preached the Gospel to you and nurtured shall have wasted their time, and will lose rewards associated with those labors. Duly considered, these facts will greatly assist us in resisting the evil one.

SATAN CAN CAUSE CONDEMNATION

"Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil" (1 Tim 3:6).

The implications are plain; take them seriously! Those with a propensity to place inexperienced brethren in spiritually responsible positions are not doing them a favor. If you do not resist the devil, he will cause you to be condemned!

SATAN CAPTIVATES SOME WHENEVER HE WANTS

"And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will" (2 Tim 2:26).

Consistent failure to resist the devil makes him more powerful, and you more weak. In such a scenario, the tempted eventually are captured by the devil whenever he wants; a dreadful consideration. It is refreshing to know that the belief of the truth will enable the sinner to recover himself "out of the snare of the evil." That certainly offers strong incentive to "resist the devil."

SATAN HAS CHILDREN

"In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother" (1 John 3:10).

Resisting the devil will involve avoiding his children. You will not be able to keep inordinate company with his offspring without experiencing his influence. As it is written, "evil communications corrupt good manners" (1 Cor 15:33).

SATAN HAS CHURCHES

"I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan" (Rev 2:9).

The resistance of the devil requires the avoidance of some churches. Blessed is the person who walks close enough to the Lord to detect when a professed church is really "the synagogue of Satan." Let none be naive enough to imagine there is no such thing. Jesus says there is!

THERE ARE AREAS RULED BY SATAN

"I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth" (Rev 2:13).

There are social environments where Satan dominates. Certain cities in our country come to mind: Chicago, New York, San Francisco, etc. These are areas where evil is pioneered, and where especially evil people gravitate. You can also think of special places of gathering where Satan has unusual influence: bars, night clubs, etc. The influence of the evil one is obvious in these such places. It is not so obvious, yet very powerful, in schools dominated by the wisdom of this world, entertainment and businesses driven by covetousness and dishonesty. Suffice it to say, the resistance of the wicked one requires alertness when confronting societies and environments dominated by him.

CONCLUSION

The resistance of the devil must be seen as more than important -it is imperative. Satan will flee from no one that fails to resist him. On the other hand, he will flee from everyone who does resist him through steadfastness in the faith.

The reason for Satan's departure from those refusing to give heed to him is plain. He cannot work in anyone without the consent of their will. Those who are in Christ Jesus experience the strengthening of their wills. Grace teaches them to willingly deny ungodliness and worldly lusts. It also effectively teaches them to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Tit 2:11- 12). The love for the truth that characterizes believers repels the devil. As God is attracted to those with an appetite for the truth of the Gospel, so Satan is repulsed by it. Time spent developing a relish for the truth of God is time well spent! Just as God cannot tolerate the lie, so Satan cannot abide the truth. He is actually repelled by it. As we by faith embrace the truth, we do, by that very act, resist the devil. Satan cannot contend with that situation.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You, in Jesus' name, for giving us such marvelous capabilities by grace through faith! I praise You because I am able in Jesus to resist the devil.

-- TOMORROW: EDIFICATION --
MONDAY: New Series, THE SPIRIT AND THE SOUL