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James 4:7 - How To Deal With Temptation.James 4:7 (ESV) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.INTRODUCTION Although God and the devil are at war, we don't have to wait until the end to see who will win. God has already defeated Satan (Rev. 12:10-12), and when Christ returns, the devil and all he stands for will be eliminated forever (Rev. 20:10-15). Satan is here now, however, and he is trying to win us over to his evil cause. With the Holy Spirit's power, we can resist the devil, and he will flee from us. [Life Application SB] COMMENTARY PEARL Learn How to Meet Temptation Temptation is not sin. It is yielding to it that is sin. God never brings temptation to us. He allows it to test us. It is the work of the devil. Recognize it as such. One way to meet temptation is to quote a verse of Scripture. That puts Satan on the run, for he cannot stand the Word of God. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, His response was the Word of God. He said three times, "It is written." Speak God's Word and Satan will flee. Let Christ through the Holy Spirit do the fighting for you. Be like the little girl who said, "Every time I hear the devil knock, I send Jesus to the door." Everyone has temptations, but some folks entertain them. They seem to enjoy being tempted. Get your eyes off the temptation and onto Christ! Have you ever called on Christ to send the devil packing? [Peace for Each Day by Billy Graham] COMMENTARY So we may resist temptation, and force Satan to depart from us, Jesus gained the victory through submission and faith in God, and by the apostle He says to us, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you."[James 4:7, 8.] We cannot save ourselves from the tempter's power; he has conquered humanity, and when we try to stand in our own strength, we shall become a prey to his devices; but "the name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."[Prov. 18:10.] Satan trembles and flees before the weakest soul who finds refuge in that mighty name. DA131 The Battle of the Little Bighorn, commonly called Custer's Last Stand, was fought between an alliance of Native American tribes and the 7th Cavalry of the United States Army. It was the most significant and controversial battle in the Great Sioux War of 1876, resulting in the defeat of the U.S. forces. Soon after, men and women came forward - 120 over 70 years - claiming they were "the lone survivor" of Custer's Last Stand. The only verified survivor has been Captain Keogh's horse, Comanche. In the last days, when Satan's forces are relentlessly attacking God's people in the battle between good and evil, will you be able to stand? Even before the final events, Paul encouraged us to "put on the whole armor of God, that [we] may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Ephesians 6:11). Today's Bible promise assures us that when we "submit to God" and "resist the devil," "he will flee from [us]." The Greek word for "resist" literally means to "take a stand against" Rather than run from Satan, we are called to stand firm by wearing God's armor and using our only offensive weapon: "the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Ephesians 6:17). When Christ described building a house that could withstand the storms, He explained what it meant to build on a firm foundation: "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock" (Matthew 7:24). The words of Jesus, which are the words of Scripture "hidden in [your] heart" (Psalm 119:11), will strengthen you to stand against the foe. Dear God, I choose to stand on Your Word so that I may resist the fiercest attacks of the devil. [The Most Amazing Bible Promises by Amazing Facts] CLOSING THOUGHT How Can You Come Near To God? James gives five ways: (1) Submit to God (4:7). Yield to his authority and will, commit your life to him and his control, and be willing to follow him. (2) Resist the devil (4:7). Don't allow Satan to entice and tempt you. (3) Wash your hands ... and purify your hearts (that is, lead a pure life) (4:8). Be cleansed from sin, replacing your desire to sin with your desire to experience God's purity. (4) Grieve and mourn and wail in sincere sorrow for your sins (4:9). Don't be afraid to express deep heartfelt sorrow for what you have done. (5) Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will lift you up (4:10; 1 Peter 5:6). [Life Application SB] LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY James 4:7-8: How To Deal With Temptation. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230627-0954.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20190823-0932.html James 4:7, 8 - Drawing Near to God. http://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20221019-0824.html http://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170306-1007.html Ephesians 6:10-13 - Christian Warfare. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240423-0827.html Exodus 14:13, 14 - When He Leads Us Through. https://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210416-0920.html LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT https://abible.com/links/ |