S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The phrase "resist the devil" is found in James 4:7 where the apostle James exhorts believers to resist the devil in order to cause him to flee or "run away" from us. To resist means to withstand, ...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does it mean to resist the devil, and why will resistance cause the devil to flee? This is an interesting thought. After reading the context in James chapter 4, my opinion is as follows:

James tells Christians the following: Subject yourselves to God, but oppose the devil, and he will flee from you.

Interestingly, a person can defeat Satan by obeying God rather than the devil.

If we follow that counsel and we live by the teachings found in the Bible, the only sacred book that fully exposes Satan, the demons, and their "crafty acts." (Ephesians 6:11)

The first step in subjecting ourselves to God involves obedience to his commands. Being constantly aware of God's existence, goodness, incredible power and authority, and his lofty principles will give us the strength to oppose Satan. Persistent prayer to God is also vital.—Ephesians 6:18.

Remember the occasion when the devil tempted Jesus. Calling to mind and quoting various commands from God surely helped Jesus to resist. 

Additionally, Paul offers us some valuable guidance on keeping the devil at bay and protecting ourselves in Eph 6 11-13. 

11, Put on the complete suit of armor from God so that you may be able to stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil; 12 because we have a struggle, not against blood and flesh, but against the governments, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places. 13 For this reason take up the complete suit of armor from God, so that you may be able to resist in the wicked.

To resist the devil, we need to ensure that we keep this spiritual armour on all the time. Continue to read Ephesians 6:14-15: Stand firm, therefore, with the belt of truth fastened around your waist, wearing the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having your feet shod in readiness to declare the good news of peace. 16 Besides all of this, take up the large shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the wicked one's burning arrows. 17 Also, accept the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, that is, God's word, 18 while with every form of prayer and supplication you carry on prayer on every occasion in spirit. And to that end, stay awake, 

Conclusion:

Only by obeying God's word and wearing the Spiritual Armour that Paul encourages us to wear will we be able to resist the devil and come off victorious as Jesus did.

5 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Good questions. I think we need to compare 2 Bible passages, the first being: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). 

Secondly, 1 Peter 5:8-9: 
5:8 "Be sober and alert. Your enemy, the devil, like a roaring lion, is on the prowl looking for someone to devour. 5:9 Resist him, strong in your faith, because you know that your brothers and sisters throughout the world are enduring the same kinds of suffering."

Then let us answer the 2 questions, "What does it mean to resist the devil, and why will resistance cause the devil to flee?"

To resist the devil means to follow and obey the command that God has given us. It means to say "no" to the devil by saying "no" to temptation. It means that, like a lion, he is not going to give up easily. He is going to keep coming back to tempt you and coming back again and again. He knows your weaknesses as a lion often knows when his prey is weak and/or weary. He will keep circling and watching for any sign of weakness. 

Why will resistance cause the devil to flee? It's a matter of faith. We have to be strong in our faith in order for it to make the devil flee from us. How do we become strong in faith? "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." Know the Word, believe the Word, and obey the Word. Jesus resisted the devil by quoting the Bible (Matthew 4, Luke 4), and the devil took off. He's the best example to follow (1 Peter 2:21).

4 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report