”Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7New International Version (NIV)
James 4:7 Devotional (Daily Bible Verse)
Submit to God
James 4:7 is the Bible verse that inspired today’s devotional.
In this devotion titled “Submit to God“, we have the verb submit. This verb means “to make yourself a subordinate”. And it is, therefore, synonymous with “to place yourself under someone else”.
Therefore, the verb submit is a military term that applies to its ranks. This is because Satan constantly attacks us Christians (1 Peter 5:8). However, we have all the power and authority from God to resist him and make him back away from us.
Consequently, effectively resisting the devil involves submitting to God. That is, you have to place yourself under the authority of Jesus Christ.
In any case, how else can you and I relate to the Almighty Sovereign God? We have to go to Him in submission and be willing to live as He directs. Jesus did nothing on His own. He did everything the Father required of Him (John 5 & 6). Therefore, submission is for us too. We are to submit ourselves to God, much like a soldier would submit to their General.
Submission is the weapon of resisting the devil. That is, you must be submitted to God, in order to resist the devil.
First, when you submit to God, you invite God’s (sufficient) grace into your life. Second, submission helps you to deal with the pride and envy that come from the devil. And this helps in keeping temptations at bay. Finally, evil will keep you away from yourself.
Prayer/Blessing
Lord God, I thank you for your sufficient grace. I pray to ask for help in resisting the devil and the temptations he throws at me.
Father God, I fully surrender unto Your authority. Take Your Lordship over and in my life in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Daily Bible Reading
2 Kings 17-18 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))
