Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Submit to God first, then stand against the devil, and he will run away, for resistance has no safety apart from surrender. To submit is to yield self wholly without reservation, place the will on God's side, obey His law and do His will in humble trustful dependence. This cannot be done in human strength, for good resolutions alone are as ropes of sand and power to stand comes only through grace, Christ's strength, the Holy Spirit and God's Word. Resistance is active, decided, continual and lifelong, refusing Satan's first suggestions and giving him no foothold by closing the door of the heart. It is done in the Lord's strength through faith, prayer, Scripture as the sword, the merits of Jesus' blood and beholding Christ, with even one desire to resist joined with sincere prayer bringing strength for the day. The promise is sure to everyone, even the weakest soul, because God's presence comes to the resister and Satan cannot bear it, as Christ proved by His complete victory in the wilderness, yet it holds only while resistance is maintained.
Words and Context
Submit comes first, then resist, then flight follows in that order, for resistance depends on submission and has no safety apart from it. Submission to God enables resistance through grace, and the devil flees when his temptations are resisted in faith. Human strength cannot save from Satan's power or stand against him, for good intent alone fails and refuge is found only in the Lord's name and strength, where even the weakest soul makes Satan tremble and flee. Jesus won through submission and faith in God, showing the way to force Satan to depart. In this setting resistance means casting out envy, jealousy, and selfish ambition for supremacy, opposing with all power the spirit traced to Lucifer's jealousy of Christ and the conflict in heaven, through humble dependence on God and daily self-denial in following Christ. Drawing near to God and obeying these directions brings His nearness, for He gives grace to the humble, and His angels lift up a standard against the enemy for the obedient.
The verse belongs to James 4:5-12, which is to be read with James 2 and James 5:13-20 and Matthew 7, studied every word as for life, and practiced in daily life in order to know the work given by the Lord. That section is now a dead letter to most professed believers, and unless its work is first done in the heart, all effort to reach lost souls and all specific directions for action are vain labor ending in great disappointment. Submission is learned through close self-examination in the light of the Word, complying with its conditions by yielding implicit obedience to every requirement including the abiding claims of the law, and heeding the convictions of the Holy Spirit as warnings too dangerous to disregard. Having complied, acceptance with God is held by faith and not by feeling, believing God whether feeling differs or not. The same context calls jealous and faultfinding members, talebearers and gossips sowing dissension and strife, who meddle and tear down brethren to lift up themselves, to submit to God and resist the devil so he will flee, to draw near to God so He will draw near, to cleanse hands as sinners and purify hearts as double-minded, to be afflicted and mourn and weep with laughter turned to mourning and joy to heaviness, to stop speaking evil of one another, and to humble themselves in God's sight so He will lift them up. Drawing near in return brings discernment of sin and a changed character through beholding Jesus, with resistance and drawing near continuing because temptations continue, and the counsel applies to receiving truth into the heart rather than neglecting it and to living so as not to turn weaker ones aside into crooked paths.
The verse states the underlying principle of Christian warfare, which is not against believing brethren but against the seducing spirit of the enemy. That warfare is active resistance to the devil's subtle, deceiving influence as a serpent creeping into thoughts and minds to lead into deception, falsifying, and provision for the flesh, working as in Eden while watching for any opportunity. Giving him no foothold and refusing all provision for the flesh fulfills the human charge, and the promised flight happens because the angel of God lifts up a standard against the enemy for the resister. The devil works through evil angels who whisper lies and send deceptive dreams, and listening to them and welcoming their influence grieves God's Spirit, while tearing away from that dreadful influence, refusing their whispering and lying dreams instead of listening with pleasure, awaking from the deception thrown over the mind, girding on the armor anew, standing at the post, and fighting manfully brings victory unto eternal life and a victorious crown. As long as resistance is maintained there is a collision of spirits that reins up the mind and keeps it under the restraining force of truth, but when resistance ceases the collision ceases and a false rest and peace follow, because Satan lets alone those he has conquered while he and his angels exult, leaving a most alarming security under his power and near hopelessness if God is left for Satan's side. Ministers must therefore stand faithfully at their posts in fear of God and in the power of His strength, and by doing so put Satan's forces to confusion and triumph in the Lord's name, for the Christian life is a continuing struggle against spiritual wickedness and not against people, requiring the good fight of faith throughout life with no period safe for spiritual indolence, while God as strong helper meets and resists the devil.
Submitting to God
To submit is to yield self wholly to God, to surrender all without reservation, to place the will on God's side, to obey every requirement including His law, to keep His commandments, to study Christ's life and do God's will, and to live in humble trustful dependence. That submission belongs with drawing near to God in safety, with humbling the soul and seeking Him earnestly in prayer, with turning from sin and purifying the heart rather than pursuing pride, self-importance, self-centeredness and self-gratification, and with a thorough change of character that must come before safely instructing others or serving in God's institutions. Obeying these directions brings God's nearness, for God gives grace to the humble, and as believers practice daily self-denial and follow Christ, angels raise a standard against the enemy while resisting the influences that keep people from coming to Christ.
Submission cannot be done in human strength, for humanity cannot save itself from Satan's power and there is no safety apart from meeting the verse's conditions. Good resolutions alone are as ropes of sand, since the tempter has conquered humanity and overcomes all who try to stand alone in finite strength. Power to stand comes only through grace, through Christ's strength and His imputed righteousness, through the Holy Spirit, and through God's Word humbly studied and continually prayed over as revealing Satan's deceptive methods and answering his claims. Jesus won through submission and faith in God, showing that people resist temptation by relying on God rather than themselves, by abiding in Christ in prayerful dependence, and by taking refuge in the Lord's name and might.
Submitting includes humbling the soul, earnest self-examination, contrite confession of wrongs to God and to those harmed, repentance and reformation, seeking God in prayer at the outset, and believing acceptance by faith rather than feeling. When people have grieved the Holy Spirit they are not to draw away but to come humbly and contritely, admitting wrongs done to others so the light of the Word can expose and heal sin's wounds. This call is joined to the promise that God gives grace to the humble and draws near to those who draw near to Him, with pardon and help sought, sin confessed, hands cleansed as sinners, hearts purified as double-minded, self humbled in the Lord's sight so He will lift up, and cooperation with waiting angels as the Spirit lifts a standard when the enemy comes in like a flood.
Submission to God keeps a person from becoming a channel through which Satan works. Unwillingness to submit leaves room for the enemy to shape conduct, including outbursts of unsanctified temper and passion that harm others and show hold of God has been lost.
Resisting the Devil
Resistance is active, decided, continual and lifelong, calling for earnest persevering effort, watchfulness, daily self-denial and conquest, with no compromise and no ceasing or sinking back into carelessness. It is a day-by-day battle because the adversary watches every opportunity to ensnare to ruin through flattering presentations, and safety depends on maintained conflict and active effort to break free from his snare. As long as resistance continues there is a collision of spirits that reins up the mind and keeps it under the restraining force of truth, but when resistance ceases the collision ceases and a false rest and peace follow, since Satan lets alone those he has conquered while he and his angels exult over them. To make no effort to resist leaves a person enclosed by darkness and nearly hopeless, feeling secure and at ease while under Satan's power, which is a most alarming and dangerous condition standing ready to fix eternal destiny for loss if God is left for Satan's side. The conflict takes place amid opposition to God's work and the effort to form characters in harmony with God's Word, requiring readiness for conflict and willingness to sacrifice rather than insisting that everything suit one's own mind. Victory and power in this determined effort come through God's converting work, while human good resolutions in one's own strength are as ropes of sand and cannot stand against the enemy's wiles.
Careless words or actions by loved ones can be turned into temptations, with hurt magnified until people resist one another instead of seeking God's strength to resist him, so yielding one's own way and submitting to a spouse's judgment even when it conflicts with feeling can prevent unhappiness and give both spouses victory over temptation. To resist is to refuse the first suggestions toward unbelief, despondency and despair rather than yielding to temptation, standing on the defensive against the first insinuation instead of taking one step that prepares the way for another. It means giving the devil no foothold or room and refusing all provision for the flesh, firmly closing the door of the heart, dismissing him and shutting out his entry rather than entering into argument or negotiation with him. The warfare is not against believing brethren but against the seducing spirit of the enemy with his subtle, deceiving influence as a serpent creeping into thoughts and minds to lead into deception, falsifying, and fleshly provision, working as in Eden while watching for any opportunity to develop. Resistance therefore means fighting his suggestions whether sent directly to the soul or through associates, refusing to listen to or voice complaint, murmuring, accusation, suspicion and reproach against a neighbor, refusing coldness and indifference at once, saying there will be no being overcome, and reaching up by faith to take hold of Christ as strength.
Resistance is done in the Lord's strength through faith, silent and united prayer, Scripture and its promises as the sword, the merits of Jesus' blood, beholding Christ, speaking of His power, and cooperating with waiting angels. Scripture provides the standard and spiritual weapon, with believers drawing on God's Word and its promises and using the Spirit's sword, It is written, rather than yielding to alluring temptations. Christ has defeated Satan, and believers join their weakness to Christ's strength and rely on His merits and power, with Jesus and God's angels helping them resist as they obey the truth, keep the Sabbath, and accept reproach and trial for Christ. In sudden troubles and temptations, drawing near to God through sincere prayer and seeking to do His will enables resistance to the impulse to lose patience, speak harshly, or accuse others, and continual prayer for strength from above, looking to Jesus, and bringing oneself into line with God's will make the devil unwilling to choose the company of one diligent, watchful and constant in prayer. When feelings or desires overpower, turning to God for refuge, watching and praying, and keeping on trying to resist drives him away.
In this setting resisting means casting out envy, jealousy, and the selfish ambition to hold supremacy, opposing with all power through humble dependence on God the spirit of envy traced to Lucifer's jealousy of Christ and the conflict in heaven. Coming off the devil's ground includes ceasing to accuse fellow believers and finding fault with others, and requires jealous and faultfinding church members who are talebearers and gossips sowing dissension and strife, meddling and tearing down brethren to lift up themselves, to cleanse the hands as sinners and purify the hearts as double-minded, be afflicted and mourn with laughter turned to mourning, stop speaking evil one of another, and humble themselves so God lifts them up. The promise belongs especially to accusers who treat thoughtless or ignorant mistakes as sin and let the tempter stir feelings into suspicion and harsh judgment, and to one who has let the tempter ruffle feelings into suspicion, evil surmising, jealousy, selfishness, criticism and an unforgiving spirit toward an erring or restored brother, magnifying every defect and creating disunion in the spirit of the elder brother. Such resisting belongs with humbling the soul before God, being purified and refined by the Holy Spirit, drawing close to God, remembering one's own past errors and that one has done the same, putting away evil imaginings and surmising, and loving fellow believers with kindness and courtesy as brothers, which places the soul where God can give the light of His countenance and Christ can take away suspicion. Discouraging thoughts, suspicions and distrust toward brethren and incorrect impressions are Satan's device to make a person unhappy and discouraged, doing as much mischief as if true, so rebuking the devil means refusing to entertain those thoughts, putting them away in the name of the Lord Jesus, refusing to look down, being of good courage in the Lord, and acting trustful and confiding toward brethren.
Resistance is applied to controlling appetite and refusing harmful stimulants and narcotics, with practical cooperation including careful attention to diet and reform in cooking and eating so stomach, brain and nerves are nourished for hard mental work, as Daniel showed by choosing plain, simple, nutritious food and refusing the luxuries of the king's table to keep body and mind fit for learning, wisdom and clear thought. It includes refusing to indulge corrupt passions and unlawful sexual practices, since giving appetite and passion free rein leaves a person vulnerable to being led into lust and ruin. It means refusing Satan's devices prepared one after another to catch the soul and separate from God through fascinating prospects of making money by one enterprise and new thing after another, which allure from diligence to God and rob Him of ability, teaching work and duty; resisting means stopping where one is, not entering entangling business engagements and not selling or binding soul, body and spirit even to get free from debt, responding to light about duty and surrendering without reservation. It calls for refusing any further step toward intimate association with any young woman or married woman and leaving dangerous ground already taken, because Satan contends for the soul and lays shrewd snares especially to bring down men in responsible positions into defilement and corruption so he can exhibit them as those who tried to keep God's law and failed. In the home school parents lay plans before the Lord every morning and ask wisdom, and resist by beginning in baby life to teach and require obedience without any cross or rasping word, forcing circumstances to serve resistance, refusing to be mastered even in greatest difficulties, determining to be a conqueror and not conquered, and refusing Satan's promptings in speech so Christ abides in the heart by faith. Those who value salvation shun infidel reading, since such writings invite temptation and place a person on the enemy's ground where unbelief can fasten on the mind, and yielding one's own way in marriage and training children in firm discipline likewise belong to constant resistance.
Resisting requires keeping God and His mercy in thought, for failure to do so leaves people under Satan's control and produces exhibitions of satanic character, with the devil leading on to the most shameful deeds. Israel at Sinai illustrates this, when the people ate and drank without thought of God and gave themselves to glee and dancing, hilarity and singing carried to an infatuation that beguiled the senses, and to inordinate lustful affections, the same spirit manifested at the sacrilegious feast of Belshazzar. Such a course dishonors God, makes His people a shame in the sight of the heathen, and brings impending judgment, yet God in mercy still gives opportunity to forsake sin.
Promise of Flight
The promise is sure and belongs to everyone who meets its condition, for when the devil is resisted he will flee. His power is limited and can be overcome, so he fears resistance and trembles before it, and even the weakest soul who takes refuge in the Lord's name can defeat him and his angels through divine strength. Standing against him makes him leave, and distresses that felt almost unbearable disappear when the eye is kept fixed on Jesus and the tempted one comes close to God by speaking of His goodness and mercy, which brings Jesus close in return. Resistance in this fight of faith means awaking from the awful deception thrown over the mind, girding on the armor anew, standing at the post and fighting manfully the battles of the Lord as Christian soldiers in active struggle against evil. It means tearing away from the dreadful influence of evil angels around, refusing their whispering in the ears and their lying dreams instead of listening and being pleased, and laying hold on everlasting life before the Spirit is grieved entirely away, with the assurance that the victorious resister will soon lay off the armor to wear a victorious crown and receive eternal life.
He flees because the presence of God, which comes to the resister, is what he hates and fears and cannot bear as a protection. Drawing near to God brings God near in return, and safety comes through first submitting to God and then resisting in faith, with humble confession and contrition including admitting wrongs to those harmed, so the light of the Word can expose and heal the wounds sin has made. The promised flight happens because the angel of God and the Spirit of the Lord lift up a standard against the enemy for the resister, giving no foothold to his subtle, deceiving influence as a serpent creeping into thoughts and minds to lead into deception, falsifying and provision for the flesh as he worked in Eden while watching for any opportunity. Cooperation with the angels of God is therefore part of resisting, joined to cleansing the hands as sinners, purifying the hearts as double-minded, and humbling the self in the sight of the Lord so He will lift up, while those who take their stand with Christ and seek God wholeheartedly and rely on His strength go forward with heavenly angels ministering to them and bearing tidings heavenward where the victory is recorded.
Christ demonstrated the promise by winning a complete victory where Adam failed, meeting Satan at every point and conquering the powers of darkness in behalf of humanity. After forty days and nights without food He suffered hunger in the wilderness and faced temptations adapted to circumstances with offers of apparent benefit, yet in His last great temptation He commanded Satan to depart and the tempter could not resist the command but was compelled to go. He laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown and came as a man and lived among men a life free from spot or stain of sin in order to show that human beings can meet the enemy and refuse to be led into sin, with every provision made for men and women to become sons and daughters of God victorious over the power of darkness. What He did proves that temptation can be overcome in His name when resisted.
The promise holds only while resistance is maintained in the Lord's power rather than finite human strength, for there is no assurance of safety apart from obeying its conditions. Resistance must be steady and continued rather than temporary, since resisting for a time and then yielding forfeits the gain, and victory once gained must be kept instead of sinking back into carelessness, indifference, indolence, selfish desire, weariness of daily self-denial, and love of ease, pride and fashionable sins. As long as a person resists there is a collision of spirits that reins up the mind and keeps it under the restraining force of truth by rejecting Satan's first suggestions, refusing him any foothold, and relying on the Word rather than entering into argument or negotiation with him. When resistance ceases the collision ceases and a false rest and peace follow because Satan lets alone those he has conquered while he and his angels exult, and feeling secure and at ease while under his power is most alarming and dangerous, while opening the mind to secret schemes or giving the least encouragement gives him mastery and leaves the person nearly hopeless and ready to fix eternal destiny for loss.
Temptation does not force anyone to sin, for though Satan may attack at the weakest point God provides help and through God's strength the person can resist and overcome. In the hour of greatest need Jesus draws near and helps against the foe.
When Satan is resisted he is repulsed and defeated and the Spirit of God gains the ascendancy. Those who have no love for God and who fret, fume, scold and denounce anything that savors of reform, sanctification and heaven, and who close the door to the rays of light that would shine in office, school and sanitarium, let him prevail because there is no union between Christ and Belial.
Drawing Near to God
Resisting belongs inseparably with drawing near to God, who in return draws near to the one who comes to Him. Drawing near is done not only in prayer but in all actions, by seeking Him wholeheartedly, looking constantly to Christ for help in every need, and taking the first upward step that His outstretched hand meets and assists. It is done through the Lord's power and not finite human strength, with earnest self-examination, humble dependence, confession of weakness and sin, and surrender of self, for there is no safety apart from meeting these conditions. In sudden trouble and temptation it means sincere prayer and seeking to do His will, which enables resistance to the impulse to lose patience, speak harshly, or accuse others. It means refusing the devil's first suggestions toward unbelief, despondency and despair, keeping the eyes on Jesus, and coming close by speaking of His goodness and mercy, so that He comes close in return and troubles that seemed unbearable lose their power.
Drawing near means cleansing the hands as sinners and purifying the hearts as double-minded, turning from sin to be wholehearted rather than divided in allegiance. It means being afflicted and mourning and weeping with laughter turned to mourning and joy to heaviness, humbling self in God's sight so that He lifts up, confessing and putting away sins while claiming His promises. For those who are jealous and faultfinding, talebearers and gossips sowing dissension and strife, meddling and tearing down brethren to lift up self, this requires stopping evil speech against one another and submitting fully. It requires cooperation with waiting angels, turning from selfish desires, envy, pride and self-gratification, and when the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against him. It calls for overcoming pride and self-vindication, acknowledging error rather than defending a harsh course, and humbling self before God and making peace with others as the way to heal division and receive blessing.
When this is done God's presence becomes protection, because Satan hates and fears it, and even those who have grieved the Holy Spirit should not draw away but come humbly and contritely, confessing wrongs done to others, so the light of the Word exposes and heals the wounds sin has made. Troubles that felt almost unbearable disappear, and the believer becomes rooted and grounded in the truth, bearing the same fruit as the stock into which he is grafted. That rooting comes by doing far more than is commonly realized: fighting the enemy's suggestions whether sent directly to the soul or through associates, firmly closing the door of the heart, refusing to listen to or voice complaint, murmuring, accusation, suspicion and reproach, saying I will not be overcome, and reaching up by faith to take hold of Christ as strength. Even one desire to resist joined with sincere prayer, Deliver me from temptation, puts the will on Christ's side by desire and silent prayer, brings strength for the day, draws believers near to one another, and angels bear the tidings heavenward with rejoicing while doing what humans cannot do for themselves. Day-by-day knowledge of the Lord with growing faith and holiness in daily life preserves the freshness and power of first love, without which first love is lost and the candlestick is moved, but with clearing away of hindrances and confessing and forsaking of sin the victory makes room for God's Spirit and blessing and gives discernment and moral power.
Daily Life Applications
Those who serve God — ministers, teachers, students, canvassers, church officers, laborers in His cause and all engaged in forming character in harmony with His Word — are to take a decided stand without compromise, cling to Christ, guard speech and conduct, correct wrongs, and oppose every effort against truth and His work. Resistance takes place amid direct opposition and requires readiness for conflict and willingness to sacrifice rather than insisting that everything suit one's own mind. Satan is vigilant and crafty, seeking every advantage against the truth and God's kingdom, working through evil angels who whisper lies and send deceptive dreams, and seeking to captivate the minds of ministers and people to spread doubt. Ministers and others must therefore resist his whisperings and temptations rather than give place to them by listening, welcoming their influence, entertaining or spreading doubts about Scripture, for to do so grieves God's Spirit and can lead themselves and others away from truth, while standing faithfully at post in fear of God and in the power of His strength puts Satan's forces to confusion and brings triumph in the Lord's name and victory through his flight.
The verse forms character and prepares for eternal life and the last days, for the Christian life is one of conflict, self-denial and conquest in which each act of obedience to Christ and each victory over self advances the believer toward final victory. Trusting wholly in God means resisting the devil so he will flee, refusing temptation and relying on God to overcome personal faults, turn from evil disguised as appeals to sin, break free from influences that lead away from God, and stand fully on the Lord's side. Satan works with great power through the disobedient to control the mind, lead into sin, ruin people and rob God of glory, and to imperil souls by leading into error, so resistance is urgent and includes working earnestly to correct wrongs and master self so as not to miss heaven. Christ leads safely through hardship and struggle, so following Him rather than pride or selfish ambition keeps the believer on the path of immortal life, with each victory strengthening for the next trial while yielding weakens, and through grace bringing daily victory over selfishness, pride and folly while cultivating love, mercy and holiness.
Submitting to God in united prayer and faith and directly rebuking Satan breaks his power and drives him back so he must flee, breaking his hold on body and household. Resistance includes feeling unworthy yet taking hold of faith because the Lord's work is hindered, anointing the sick with oil in the name of the Lord, sending united prayer to God for deliverance, praying over the afflicted and rebuking Satan over them, with the result that sickness and distress cease and those attacked are left well and free from his power even after a desperate struggle to seize them, as when a child anointed on the stomach with oil and prayed over was well by morning. It also includes discerning and openly opposing in the name of the Lord satanic influence that grieves God's Spirit even when it comes through people who groan and cry Amen in false sympathy, and asking God to rebuke the foul spirit of darkness, which brings immediate relief from oppression and heaviness, lifts darkness, brings power to speak encouragement and faith, and, persisted in and repeated as needed, binds the agents of the enemy so they are unable to exert their chilling, life-crushing influence. When Satan comes with his power to oppress, faith in God beats him back, and if victory does not come at first, fasting and prayer bring sure victory and triumph over him, belonging to being girded with the whole armor and standing in readiness to go and help souls in need while working while the day lasts.
Submit to God first, then stand against the devil, and he will run away, for resistance has no safety apart from surrender. To submit is to yield self wholly without reservation, place the will on God's side, obey His law and do His will in humble trustful dependence. This cannot be done in human strength, for good resolutions alone are as ropes of sand and power to stand comes only through grace, Christ's strength, the Holy Spirit and God's Word. Resistance is active, decided, continual and lifelong, refusing Satan's first suggestions and giving him no foothold by closing the door of the heart. It is done in the Lord's strength through faith, prayer, Scripture as the sword, the merits of Jesus' blood and beholding Christ, with even one desire to resist joined with sincere prayer bringing strength for the day. The promise is sure to everyone, even the weakest soul, because God's presence comes to the resister and Satan cannot bear it, as Christ proved by His complete victory in the wilderness, yet it holds only while resistance is maintained.
Words and Context
Submit comes first, then resist, then flight follows in that order, for resistance depends on submission and has no safety apart from it. Submission to God enables resistance through grace, and the devil flees when his temptations are resisted in faith. Human strength cannot save from Satan's power or stand against him, for good intent alone fails and refuge is found only in the Lord's name and strength, where even the weakest soul makes Satan tremble and flee. Jesus won through submission and faith in God, showing the way to force Satan to depart. In this setting resistance means casting out envy, jealousy, and selfish ambition for supremacy, opposing with all power the spirit traced to Lucifer's jealousy of Christ and the conflict in heaven, through humble dependence on God and daily self-denial in following Christ. Drawing near to God and obeying these directions brings His nearness, for He gives grace to the humble, and His angels lift up a standard against the enemy for the obedient.
The verse belongs to James 4:5-12, which is to be read with James 2 and James 5:13-20 and Matthew 7, studied every word as for life, and practiced in daily life in order to know the work given by the Lord. That section is now a dead letter to most professed believers, and unless its work is first done in the heart, all effort to reach lost souls and all specific directions for action are vain labor ending in great disappointment. Submission is learned through close self-examination in the light of the Word, complying with its conditions by yielding implicit obedience to every requirement including the abiding claims of the law, and heeding the convictions of the Holy Spirit as warnings too dangerous to disregard. Having complied, acceptance with God is held by faith and not by feeling, believing God whether feeling differs or not. The same context calls jealous and faultfinding members, talebearers and gossips sowing dissension and strife, who meddle and tear down brethren to lift up themselves, to submit to God and resist the devil so he will flee, to draw near to God so He will draw near, to cleanse hands as sinners and purify hearts as double-minded, to be afflicted and mourn and weep with laughter turned to mourning and joy to heaviness, to stop speaking evil of one another, and to humble themselves in God's sight so He will lift them up. Drawing near in return brings discernment of sin and a changed character through beholding Jesus, with resistance and drawing near continuing because temptations continue, and the counsel applies to receiving truth into the heart rather than neglecting it and to living so as not to turn weaker ones aside into crooked paths.
The verse states the underlying principle of Christian warfare, which is not against believing brethren but against the seducing spirit of the enemy. That warfare is active resistance to the devil's subtle, deceiving influence as a serpent creeping into thoughts and minds to lead into deception, falsifying, and provision for the flesh, working as in Eden while watching for any opportunity. Giving him no foothold and refusing all provision for the flesh fulfills the human charge, and the promised flight happens because the angel of God lifts up a standard against the enemy for the resister. The devil works through evil angels who whisper lies and send deceptive dreams, and listening to them and welcoming their influence grieves God's Spirit, while tearing away from that dreadful influence, refusing their whispering and lying dreams instead of listening with pleasure, awaking from the deception thrown over the mind, girding on the armor anew, standing at the post, and fighting manfully brings victory unto eternal life and a victorious crown. As long as resistance is maintained there is a collision of spirits that reins up the mind and keeps it under the restraining force of truth, but when resistance ceases the collision ceases and a false rest and peace follow, because Satan lets alone those he has conquered while he and his angels exult, leaving a most alarming security under his power and near hopelessness if God is left for Satan's side. Ministers must therefore stand faithfully at their posts in fear of God and in the power of His strength, and by doing so put Satan's forces to confusion and triumph in the Lord's name, for the Christian life is a continuing struggle against spiritual wickedness and not against people, requiring the good fight of faith throughout life with no period safe for spiritual indolence, while God as strong helper meets and resists the devil.
Submitting to God
To submit is to yield self wholly to God, to surrender all without reservation, to place the will on God's side, to obey every requirement including His law, to keep His commandments, to study Christ's life and do God's will, and to live in humble trustful dependence. That submission belongs with drawing near to God in safety, with humbling the soul and seeking Him earnestly in prayer, with turning from sin and purifying the heart rather than pursuing pride, self-importance, self-centeredness and self-gratification, and with a thorough change of character that must come before safely instructing others or serving in God's institutions. Obeying these directions brings God's nearness, for God gives grace to the humble, and as believers practice daily self-denial and follow Christ, angels raise a standard against the enemy while resisting the influences that keep people from coming to Christ.
Submission cannot be done in human strength, for humanity cannot save itself from Satan's power and there is no safety apart from meeting the verse's conditions. Good resolutions alone are as ropes of sand, since the tempter has conquered humanity and overcomes all who try to stand alone in finite strength. Power to stand comes only through grace, through Christ's strength and His imputed righteousness, through the Holy Spirit, and through God's Word humbly studied and continually prayed over as revealing Satan's deceptive methods and answering his claims. Jesus won through submission and faith in God, showing that people resist temptation by relying on God rather than themselves, by abiding in Christ in prayerful dependence, and by taking refuge in the Lord's name and might.
Submitting includes humbling the soul, earnest self-examination, contrite confession of wrongs to God and to those harmed, repentance and reformation, seeking God in prayer at the outset, and believing acceptance by faith rather than feeling. When people have grieved the Holy Spirit they are not to draw away but to come humbly and contritely, admitting wrongs done to others so the light of the Word can expose and heal sin's wounds. This call is joined to the promise that God gives grace to the humble and draws near to those who draw near to Him, with pardon and help sought, sin confessed, hands cleansed as sinners, hearts purified as double-minded, self humbled in the Lord's sight so He will lift up, and cooperation with waiting angels as the Spirit lifts a standard when the enemy comes in like a flood.
Submission to God keeps a person from becoming a channel through which Satan works. Unwillingness to submit leaves room for the enemy to shape conduct, including outbursts of unsanctified temper and passion that harm others and show hold of God has been lost.
Resisting the Devil
Resistance is active, decided, continual and lifelong, calling for earnest persevering effort, watchfulness, daily self-denial and conquest, with no compromise and no ceasing or sinking back into carelessness. It is a day-by-day battle because the adversary watches every opportunity to ensnare to ruin through flattering presentations, and safety depends on maintained conflict and active effort to break free from his snare. As long as resistance continues there is a collision of spirits that reins up the mind and keeps it under the restraining force of truth, but when resistance ceases the collision ceases and a false rest and peace follow, since Satan lets alone those he has conquered while he and his angels exult over them. To make no effort to resist leaves a person enclosed by darkness and nearly hopeless, feeling secure and at ease while under Satan's power, which is a most alarming and dangerous condition standing ready to fix eternal destiny for loss if God is left for Satan's side. The conflict takes place amid opposition to God's work and the effort to form characters in harmony with God's Word, requiring readiness for conflict and willingness to sacrifice rather than insisting that everything suit one's own mind. Victory and power in this determined effort come through God's converting work, while human good resolutions in one's own strength are as ropes of sand and cannot stand against the enemy's wiles.
Careless words or actions by loved ones can be turned into temptations, with hurt magnified until people resist one another instead of seeking God's strength to resist him, so yielding one's own way and submitting to a spouse's judgment even when it conflicts with feeling can prevent unhappiness and give both spouses victory over temptation. To resist is to refuse the first suggestions toward unbelief, despondency and despair rather than yielding to temptation, standing on the defensive against the first insinuation instead of taking one step that prepares the way for another. It means giving the devil no foothold or room and refusing all provision for the flesh, firmly closing the door of the heart, dismissing him and shutting out his entry rather than entering into argument or negotiation with him. The warfare is not against believing brethren but against the seducing spirit of the enemy with his subtle, deceiving influence as a serpent creeping into thoughts and minds to lead into deception, falsifying, and fleshly provision, working as in Eden while watching for any opportunity to develop. Resistance therefore means fighting his suggestions whether sent directly to the soul or through associates, refusing to listen to or voice complaint, murmuring, accusation, suspicion and reproach against a neighbor, refusing coldness and indifference at once, saying there will be no being overcome, and reaching up by faith to take hold of Christ as strength.
Resistance is done in the Lord's strength through faith, silent and united prayer, Scripture and its promises as the sword, the merits of Jesus' blood, beholding Christ, speaking of His power, and cooperating with waiting angels. Scripture provides the standard and spiritual weapon, with believers drawing on God's Word and its promises and using the Spirit's sword, It is written, rather than yielding to alluring temptations. Christ has defeated Satan, and believers join their weakness to Christ's strength and rely on His merits and power, with Jesus and God's angels helping them resist as they obey the truth, keep the Sabbath, and accept reproach and trial for Christ. In sudden troubles and temptations, drawing near to God through sincere prayer and seeking to do His will enables resistance to the impulse to lose patience, speak harshly, or accuse others, and continual prayer for strength from above, looking to Jesus, and bringing oneself into line with God's will make the devil unwilling to choose the company of one diligent, watchful and constant in prayer. When feelings or desires overpower, turning to God for refuge, watching and praying, and keeping on trying to resist drives him away.
In this setting resisting means casting out envy, jealousy, and the selfish ambition to hold supremacy, opposing with all power through humble dependence on God the spirit of envy traced to Lucifer's jealousy of Christ and the conflict in heaven. Coming off the devil's ground includes ceasing to accuse fellow believers and finding fault with others, and requires jealous and faultfinding church members who are talebearers and gossips sowing dissension and strife, meddling and tearing down brethren to lift up themselves, to cleanse the hands as sinners and purify the hearts as double-minded, be afflicted and mourn with laughter turned to mourning, stop speaking evil one of another, and humble themselves so God lifts them up. The promise belongs especially to accusers who treat thoughtless or ignorant mistakes as sin and let the tempter stir feelings into suspicion and harsh judgment, and to one who has let the tempter ruffle feelings into suspicion, evil surmising, jealousy, selfishness, criticism and an unforgiving spirit toward an erring or restored brother, magnifying every defect and creating disunion in the spirit of the elder brother. Such resisting belongs with humbling the soul before God, being purified and refined by the Holy Spirit, drawing close to God, remembering one's own past errors and that one has done the same, putting away evil imaginings and surmising, and loving fellow believers with kindness and courtesy as brothers, which places the soul where God can give the light of His countenance and Christ can take away suspicion. Discouraging thoughts, suspicions and distrust toward brethren and incorrect impressions are Satan's device to make a person unhappy and discouraged, doing as much mischief as if true, so rebuking the devil means refusing to entertain those thoughts, putting them away in the name of the Lord Jesus, refusing to look down, being of good courage in the Lord, and acting trustful and confiding toward brethren.
Resistance is applied to controlling appetite and refusing harmful stimulants and narcotics, with practical cooperation including careful attention to diet and reform in cooking and eating so stomach, brain and nerves are nourished for hard mental work, as Daniel showed by choosing plain, simple, nutritious food and refusing the luxuries of the king's table to keep body and mind fit for learning, wisdom and clear thought. It includes refusing to indulge corrupt passions and unlawful sexual practices, since giving appetite and passion free rein leaves a person vulnerable to being led into lust and ruin. It means refusing Satan's devices prepared one after another to catch the soul and separate from God through fascinating prospects of making money by one enterprise and new thing after another, which allure from diligence to God and rob Him of ability, teaching work and duty; resisting means stopping where one is, not entering entangling business engagements and not selling or binding soul, body and spirit even to get free from debt, responding to light about duty and surrendering without reservation. It calls for refusing any further step toward intimate association with any young woman or married woman and leaving dangerous ground already taken, because Satan contends for the soul and lays shrewd snares especially to bring down men in responsible positions into defilement and corruption so he can exhibit them as those who tried to keep God's law and failed. In the home school parents lay plans before the Lord every morning and ask wisdom, and resist by beginning in baby life to teach and require obedience without any cross or rasping word, forcing circumstances to serve resistance, refusing to be mastered even in greatest difficulties, determining to be a conqueror and not conquered, and refusing Satan's promptings in speech so Christ abides in the heart by faith. Those who value salvation shun infidel reading, since such writings invite temptation and place a person on the enemy's ground where unbelief can fasten on the mind, and yielding one's own way in marriage and training children in firm discipline likewise belong to constant resistance.
Resisting requires keeping God and His mercy in thought, for failure to do so leaves people under Satan's control and produces exhibitions of satanic character, with the devil leading on to the most shameful deeds. Israel at Sinai illustrates this, when the people ate and drank without thought of God and gave themselves to glee and dancing, hilarity and singing carried to an infatuation that beguiled the senses, and to inordinate lustful affections, the same spirit manifested at the sacrilegious feast of Belshazzar. Such a course dishonors God, makes His people a shame in the sight of the heathen, and brings impending judgment, yet God in mercy still gives opportunity to forsake sin.
Promise of Flight
The promise is sure and belongs to everyone who meets its condition, for when the devil is resisted he will flee. His power is limited and can be overcome, so he fears resistance and trembles before it, and even the weakest soul who takes refuge in the Lord's name can defeat him and his angels through divine strength. Standing against him makes him leave, and distresses that felt almost unbearable disappear when the eye is kept fixed on Jesus and the tempted one comes close to God by speaking of His goodness and mercy, which brings Jesus close in return. Resistance in this fight of faith means awaking from the awful deception thrown over the mind, girding on the armor anew, standing at the post and fighting manfully the battles of the Lord as Christian soldiers in active struggle against evil. It means tearing away from the dreadful influence of evil angels around, refusing their whispering in the ears and their lying dreams instead of listening and being pleased, and laying hold on everlasting life before the Spirit is grieved entirely away, with the assurance that the victorious resister will soon lay off the armor to wear a victorious crown and receive eternal life.
He flees because the presence of God, which comes to the resister, is what he hates and fears and cannot bear as a protection. Drawing near to God brings God near in return, and safety comes through first submitting to God and then resisting in faith, with humble confession and contrition including admitting wrongs to those harmed, so the light of the Word can expose and heal the wounds sin has made. The promised flight happens because the angel of God and the Spirit of the Lord lift up a standard against the enemy for the resister, giving no foothold to his subtle, deceiving influence as a serpent creeping into thoughts and minds to lead into deception, falsifying and provision for the flesh as he worked in Eden while watching for any opportunity. Cooperation with the angels of God is therefore part of resisting, joined to cleansing the hands as sinners, purifying the hearts as double-minded, and humbling the self in the sight of the Lord so He will lift up, while those who take their stand with Christ and seek God wholeheartedly and rely on His strength go forward with heavenly angels ministering to them and bearing tidings heavenward where the victory is recorded.
Christ demonstrated the promise by winning a complete victory where Adam failed, meeting Satan at every point and conquering the powers of darkness in behalf of humanity. After forty days and nights without food He suffered hunger in the wilderness and faced temptations adapted to circumstances with offers of apparent benefit, yet in His last great temptation He commanded Satan to depart and the tempter could not resist the command but was compelled to go. He laid aside His royal robe and kingly crown and came as a man and lived among men a life free from spot or stain of sin in order to show that human beings can meet the enemy and refuse to be led into sin, with every provision made for men and women to become sons and daughters of God victorious over the power of darkness. What He did proves that temptation can be overcome in His name when resisted.
The promise holds only while resistance is maintained in the Lord's power rather than finite human strength, for there is no assurance of safety apart from obeying its conditions. Resistance must be steady and continued rather than temporary, since resisting for a time and then yielding forfeits the gain, and victory once gained must be kept instead of sinking back into carelessness, indifference, indolence, selfish desire, weariness of daily self-denial, and love of ease, pride and fashionable sins. As long as a person resists there is a collision of spirits that reins up the mind and keeps it under the restraining force of truth by rejecting Satan's first suggestions, refusing him any foothold, and relying on the Word rather than entering into argument or negotiation with him. When resistance ceases the collision ceases and a false rest and peace follow because Satan lets alone those he has conquered while he and his angels exult, and feeling secure and at ease while under his power is most alarming and dangerous, while opening the mind to secret schemes or giving the least encouragement gives him mastery and leaves the person nearly hopeless and ready to fix eternal destiny for loss.
Temptation does not force anyone to sin, for though Satan may attack at the weakest point God provides help and through God's strength the person can resist and overcome. In the hour of greatest need Jesus draws near and helps against the foe.
When Satan is resisted he is repulsed and defeated and the Spirit of God gains the ascendancy. Those who have no love for God and who fret, fume, scold and denounce anything that savors of reform, sanctification and heaven, and who close the door to the rays of light that would shine in office, school and sanitarium, let him prevail because there is no union between Christ and Belial.
Drawing Near to God
Resisting belongs inseparably with drawing near to God, who in return draws near to the one who comes to Him. Drawing near is done not only in prayer but in all actions, by seeking Him wholeheartedly, looking constantly to Christ for help in every need, and taking the first upward step that His outstretched hand meets and assists. It is done through the Lord's power and not finite human strength, with earnest self-examination, humble dependence, confession of weakness and sin, and surrender of self, for there is no safety apart from meeting these conditions. In sudden trouble and temptation it means sincere prayer and seeking to do His will, which enables resistance to the impulse to lose patience, speak harshly, or accuse others. It means refusing the devil's first suggestions toward unbelief, despondency and despair, keeping the eyes on Jesus, and coming close by speaking of His goodness and mercy, so that He comes close in return and troubles that seemed unbearable lose their power.
Drawing near means cleansing the hands as sinners and purifying the hearts as double-minded, turning from sin to be wholehearted rather than divided in allegiance. It means being afflicted and mourning and weeping with laughter turned to mourning and joy to heaviness, humbling self in God's sight so that He lifts up, confessing and putting away sins while claiming His promises. For those who are jealous and faultfinding, talebearers and gossips sowing dissension and strife, meddling and tearing down brethren to lift up self, this requires stopping evil speech against one another and submitting fully. It requires cooperation with waiting angels, turning from selfish desires, envy, pride and self-gratification, and when the enemy comes in like a flood the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against him. It calls for overcoming pride and self-vindication, acknowledging error rather than defending a harsh course, and humbling self before God and making peace with others as the way to heal division and receive blessing.
When this is done God's presence becomes protection, because Satan hates and fears it, and even those who have grieved the Holy Spirit should not draw away but come humbly and contritely, confessing wrongs done to others, so the light of the Word exposes and heals the wounds sin has made. Troubles that felt almost unbearable disappear, and the believer becomes rooted and grounded in the truth, bearing the same fruit as the stock into which he is grafted. That rooting comes by doing far more than is commonly realized: fighting the enemy's suggestions whether sent directly to the soul or through associates, firmly closing the door of the heart, refusing to listen to or voice complaint, murmuring, accusation, suspicion and reproach, saying I will not be overcome, and reaching up by faith to take hold of Christ as strength. Even one desire to resist joined with sincere prayer, Deliver me from temptation, puts the will on Christ's side by desire and silent prayer, brings strength for the day, draws believers near to one another, and angels bear the tidings heavenward with rejoicing while doing what humans cannot do for themselves. Day-by-day knowledge of the Lord with growing faith and holiness in daily life preserves the freshness and power of first love, without which first love is lost and the candlestick is moved, but with clearing away of hindrances and confessing and forsaking of sin the victory makes room for God's Spirit and blessing and gives discernment and moral power.
Daily Life Applications
Those who serve God — ministers, teachers, students, canvassers, church officers, laborers in His cause and all engaged in forming character in harmony with His Word — are to take a decided stand without compromise, cling to Christ, guard speech and conduct, correct wrongs, and oppose every effort against truth and His work. Resistance takes place amid direct opposition and requires readiness for conflict and willingness to sacrifice rather than insisting that everything suit one's own mind. Satan is vigilant and crafty, seeking every advantage against the truth and God's kingdom, working through evil angels who whisper lies and send deceptive dreams, and seeking to captivate the minds of ministers and people to spread doubt. Ministers and others must therefore resist his whisperings and temptations rather than give place to them by listening, welcoming their influence, entertaining or spreading doubts about Scripture, for to do so grieves God's Spirit and can lead themselves and others away from truth, while standing faithfully at post in fear of God and in the power of His strength puts Satan's forces to confusion and brings triumph in the Lord's name and victory through his flight.
The verse forms character and prepares for eternal life and the last days, for the Christian life is one of conflict, self-denial and conquest in which each act of obedience to Christ and each victory over self advances the believer toward final victory. Trusting wholly in God means resisting the devil so he will flee, refusing temptation and relying on God to overcome personal faults, turn from evil disguised as appeals to sin, break free from influences that lead away from God, and stand fully on the Lord's side. Satan works with great power through the disobedient to control the mind, lead into sin, ruin people and rob God of glory, and to imperil souls by leading into error, so resistance is urgent and includes working earnestly to correct wrongs and master self so as not to miss heaven. Christ leads safely through hardship and struggle, so following Him rather than pride or selfish ambition keeps the believer on the path of immortal life, with each victory strengthening for the next trial while yielding weakens, and through grace bringing daily victory over selfishness, pride and folly while cultivating love, mercy and holiness.
Submitting to God in united prayer and faith and directly rebuking Satan breaks his power and drives him back so he must flee, breaking his hold on body and household. Resistance includes feeling unworthy yet taking hold of faith because the Lord's work is hindered, anointing the sick with oil in the name of the Lord, sending united prayer to God for deliverance, praying over the afflicted and rebuking Satan over them, with the result that sickness and distress cease and those attacked are left well and free from his power even after a desperate struggle to seize them, as when a child anointed on the stomach with oil and prayed over was well by morning. It also includes discerning and openly opposing in the name of the Lord satanic influence that grieves God's Spirit even when it comes through people who groan and cry Amen in false sympathy, and asking God to rebuke the foul spirit of darkness, which brings immediate relief from oppression and heaviness, lifts darkness, brings power to speak encouragement and faith, and, persisted in and repeated as needed, binds the agents of the enemy so they are unable to exert their chilling, life-crushing influence. When Satan comes with his power to oppress, faith in God beats him back, and if victory does not come at first, fasting and prayer bring sure victory and triumph over him, belonging to being girded with the whole armor and standing in readiness to go and help souls in need while working while the day lasts.