Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 KJV

The devil is always trying to draw us away from God through enticements and worldly pleasures. If we are committed to God, we must resist the devil and the temptations he sends our way, and overcome him by the power of the Holy Spirit and God’s Word. But the key to overcoming the devil and causing him to flee is submission to God.

To submit means reflexively to obey; to be subject to; to subordinate; and, it is a willingness to be helped (Greek). True submission is never based on coercion, force, or suppression. Because of your commitment in a relationship, you willingly submit. In fact, commitment presupposes submission in Biblically mentioned relationships on every level first to God (Ps. 37:5); second to your parents (Ex. 20:12; third to your spouse (Eph. 5:21); fourth to church leadership (Heb. 13:17); fifth to one another (1 Cor. 16:16); six to your employer (Col. 3:22); and, seven to civil government (Rom. 13:1). So, when resisting the devil, you need to be committed and submitted.

How do you resist the devil and overcome him? To resist the devil is to oppose and stand against him. You resist the devil, not in your power, but through the power of Jesus Christ. There two steps:

First, remember whenever you follow the devil’s wishes, you betray the Lord. The devil will try to destroy your faith by producing doubt and fear in your mind. Second, stand in the power of God which is always available. We must put on the power and the armor of God (Eph. 6:10-11, 13). God’s power is like electricity: you have to turn on the switch (Matt. 4:10). If you don’t exercise God’s power over the devil, he will try to destroy you by leading you into sin and disobedience; he’ll try to destroy your fellowship with other believers by creating conflict and confusion, enticing you to slander and backbite. Stay committed and submitted!