If we’re honest, we know there’s a lot about us that isn’t as it should be or the way we want. Admittedly, it can get to be discouraging. And then, often, along comes the devil.
It may surprise you to know that the devil can tell you a lot of truth about yourself that’s horrible, not to mention all the lies. So it can happen like this. You’re already a little down and then the devil points out some weakness you have. The devil is “the accuser of the saints” (Revelation 12:10) but often it starts out with something that you even know is true or at least partly true.
So in your heart of hearts you know you have a problem with lying, or gluttony, or violence, or some form of sexual deviation, or something. And sometimes you’ve tried to resist it. It’s not really what you want to do or be most of the time. But then the enemy pulls out his big guns and best sales pitch. “Go ahead!” he says. “It’s there in your heart! It’s what you really are! You want it!” If you don’t watch out, it’ll almost make sense.
But…, but, my friends, this is where a knowledge of God and His ways is a matter of life and death. Here’s just one verse, a really good one, that can trounce all the drool of Satan. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you,” James 4:7. Folks, there is so much crucial veracity in those few words that I can’t do the subject justice.
Even if the devil has a point, even if you have a tendency or a proclivity to be a certain way, it does not mean you HAVE to be that way. Back years ago you’d hear people say, “The devil made me do it!” Nowadays it’s more popular to say, “I was born this way!” I wrote a blog article about that one. Well, to hell with both of those ideas from hell. The devil can’t make you do ANYTHING unless you COOPERATE. And no matter how you were born, the grace of God brings salvation and freedom “from all sin” (I John 1:7). Jesus said to be “born again.” (John 3:3) That’s what happened to me and I was delivered from a whole host of sins, foolishness, iniquities and vanity that had virtually ended my life before I was even 21.
So the first step in these things is to resist the devil. Just know and understand that simply because you have a tendency to some form of sin or evil does NOT mean you have to actually do it. Someone said one time, “You can’t stop the birds from flying over your head but you can keep them from making a nest in your hair.” That’s the truth, isn’t it? Well that’s how sin can be. Temptations can be like birds flying over your head. But you can keep shooing them away. You don’t have to let down your guard and let them settle and nest on your head. All of us know this. And it’s a real analogy to how sin is.
“But Mark, I’m so weak! I have so little strength to resist!” OK, I know how that can be. For one, are you saved? If not, I can tell you, sin will “have dominion over you” (Romans 6:14), as it did for me. Here’s the truth that clinched it for me. “As many as received Him [Jesus], to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” (John 1:12) That’s what I did. I received Jesus into my heart and I strongly experienced receiving inward, supernatural power against sin that I didn’t have before.
“But Mark, I just hardly believe any of this. I have so little faith.” Virtually everyone starts out like that; you’re not alone in this. How can you increase your faith? Again we go back to the Word of God. “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17) It’s the Words of God that will grow your faith. It IS possible. You CAN resist the devil. You don’t have to give into temptations or even the things you know are in your heart but you don’t want to participate in. Read the Bible. If you don’t know where to start, try the gospel of John.
Like I said, if you aren’t sure you’re a saved, born again child of God, start with that. Jesus died on the cross to take our sins, to free us from sin and to defeat the devil. If you have Jesus, then you have that power to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). So don’t give in to discouragement or some perverse form of fatalism that says you’re doomed to be some way you know is not right and not what you want to be.
Call out to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Put your will, heart and mind on the Lord’s side. I know this works because this is what happened to me. If you keep up your resistance, the enemy HAS to flee. But also make sure you’re getting filled up with the things of the Lord and turning away from any activities or lifestyles that expose you to the dark side. The Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
What a happy, hopeful message. I know resisting certain sins can be a real struggle.
Thanks Mark!
Hi Mark good article, I just herd something along this line this morning, Tim Keller calls it epic desires this is what is wrong– we want something Too much. We just have to have it.. He said the only way to get the victory over wanting something beautiful is by replacing it with something more beautiful. So He said look at Jesus how BEAUTIFUL what he did for us is. He said it can be anything we want too much a career, finances, etc he called it a fatal attraction very interesting. Most of us have one or two, very sobering. So lets fall in love with Jesus once more.
Sincerely Hannah
GBY MARK! GREAT ARTICLE! 🙂
Thank you Mark for your message. “Submit yourself to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” I know this verse well. I struggle with sexual temptation. I have for many years even thought I have accepted Jesus as my savior. I will never give up the battle. When I fall short I remember 1 John 1:9. I thank the Lord for this verse and its promise. I ask for prayer for my victory over sin.
Thanks
Such a reassuring message of resisting the devil from temptations & even condemnation. I came from a very Catholic stronghold family, so very often I get attacked on how BAD I have been & that my sins need to be washed, because now I am ‘Born Again’ in Spirit….BUT….I know Jesus forgives me every time I reach out to HIM & ask for HIS forgiveness. I must admit we ALL sin, BUT, Jesus said to the woman:–“Go & sin no more.”….again when I sin against the Lord, there’s where my condemnation comes in & causes havoc. Lord help me to pray to get over this spirit of condemnation……You are right, Mark….. “If you keep up your resistance, the enemy HAS to flee. But also make sure you’re getting filled up with the things of the Lord and turning away from any activities or lifestyles that expose you to the dark side. The Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)…..Well to keep up my resistance I gotta tell the devil…”Get thee behind me satan.”……Thanks Mark for putting my fears to rest….The Lord Bless & keep you Mark…GBY…Wendy.
Mr. McMillion
I don’t see how people make it each and everyday without God’s word. We feed our natural body and starve our spiritual needs. I Praise God as I’ve walked this journey of FAITH I’ve learned the importants of feeding both. My natural body doesn’t function right without proper nutrition, same with our spiritual; if we don’t feed it daily we don’t function as God intended.
St. John 10:10 Jesus….”I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
Note: I find temptation to be less of a nuisance when I’m feeding my spirit daily! I still have to deal with it, but I seem to have more victory over it when I’m able to think/meditate on something out of God’s word I’ve read for the day. It’s NOT easy folks; we have to fight the good fight!
Amen, thanks for your comment.
Dear brother Mark,
Thank you for this God inspired article. You aptly captured all areas on how to say no to satan. The first step starts with submitting to God by accepting Christ as Lord for without it, will there be no strength to resist the devil in the first instance.
May the Lord increase you in the knowledge of His will and grant you more wisdom to pen down heaven-driven articles for His glory and for the salvation of men.
Regards,
Jacobs Adewale