Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NKJV) The three parts to this verse are in a distinct order. We are to submit to God first. When we grow our relationship with God by laying claim to His promises and submitting to the truths in His Word, it strengthens us internally. It’s like being hooked up to an IV receiving an infusion of His joy, peace, love and power! This internal strength comes by spending time with Him and plugging into a life-giving church or even an online community of like-minded believers. Even reading a good Christian teaching book or listening to worship music with Biblical lyrics provides opportunities to submit our heart to Him. That’s because …

Not a scratch was found on him for he had trusted in his God. Daniel 6:23 (NLT) Nothing derailed Daniel from his relationship with God, even hardship. He simply refused to cave in during hard times. Despite the king passing a law forbidding it, Daniel resisted giving in and continued praying daily to God. Arrested and marched to certain death in the lion’s den, his confidence remained in God. He protected Daniel by closing the lions’ mouths, yet when the king threw the evil advisors to those lions the same day, they were torn to shreds before even hitting the floor! Life’s issues can be exhausting. As Daniel experienced, resisting something doesn’t mean we’ll never have to walk out trials. It doesn’t mean we won’t …

..nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 1 Corinthians 10:10 (ESV) We often think if we’re grumbling about something, that we’re resisting it. But when we grumble about something and do nothing about it, we’re actually tolerating it. Simply put: it’s easier to complain than to get up and do something to change the situation. And the danger of complaining is it can drive a wedge between relationships. For example, when our five kids were little, I could have easily walked into our house and grumbled, “Oh man, this house is a mess. I wish these kids would fix their beds or clean up after themselves. I’m so sick and tired of this messy house.” While complaining away, I …

Take a decisive stand against him and resist his every attack with strong, vigorous faith. 1 Peter 5:9 (TPT) When we know God’s will for us, it becomes easier to recognize what we should be accepting or resisting in our lives. Unfortunately, legalistic religion has taught us to submit to wrong things. For example, I’ve heard Christians say, “I’m always sick,” or “We’re constantly broke. It’s how it always is.” But with that attitude, we begin to submit to sickness, poverty or distanced relationships with our spouses. These are things we should be resisting, not submitting to. First John 3:8 says Jesus destroyed the works of Satan. So, when we as believers decide to resist something that’s against God’s will, all the power of God …

…be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith… 1 Peter 5:8–9 (NKJV) I remember watching a scene in a war movie where one soldier falls on his back while in close combat with the enemy. The enemy jumps on top and tries to slowly drive a knife into his chest. Deadlocked, the enemy suddenly starts speaking soothing words to the young soldier on the bottom, who slowly gives in as the knife sinks in and kills him. Watching that horrible scene, it occurred to me: that’s what Satan is like in our lives. He tries to “soft-talk” us into doing something wrong or gets us to allow negative thoughts …