So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (AMP)
What does it mean to submit to God? And how does that help us resist the devil?
Today’s verse is an interesting one. Notice it says to submit to God first, and resisting the devil is second.
One definition of submit is to accept or yield to a superior force or authority. We submit to God first by reading His Word and renewing our minds to who we are in Him and accepting what He says about us. In doing that first, it resists and quashes the enemy’s chances at influencing our mind with ridiculous thoughts and messing with us!
Planting God’s Word in our hearts and minds works like water against fire; when Satan tries his tactics and throws fiery darts of deceit at our minds, they get instantly extinguished.
As you continually focus your thinking on God’s wisdom, teaching and plans for you, you’ll begin to understand demonic strongholds. You’ll begin to clearly recognize the enemy’s attacks and understand when he’s trying to get you to plant his arguments, theories and reasonings in your mind. When you know the truth, it sets you free from those mind games. When you know God’s truth, there’s freedom!
Let’s not give the devil an inch to manipulate or twist us with his falsehoods and deceptive mind games. Instead, let’s enjoy the incredible ability God has given us to walk through life with the mind of Christ. Seek out God’s truth–the whole truth and nothing but the truth–and send the enemy running!