There is a war being waged against the 'children of promise'. We have been given marching orders ...
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
A true follower of Christ will endure ceaseless attacks from the enemy, but notice that the above verse doesn't start with 'Resist the devil'. The point is ... unless we first submit to God, we will not have the power to withstand Satan's evil impact.
Submission isn’t forced upon us; it is a voluntary lowering of one’s self under God’s authority ... it is nothing more than obedience from a humbled life. We do what He says to do, and we don't do what He says not to do.
It is in nearness to the Lord that we experience victory over our sinful nature.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8
The command to resist is not an order to attack the enemy camp but to man the defenses. The devil makes sin look good. His tactics haven't changed since he persuaded Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Those who have submitted themselves to God are then commanded to stand firm ... well-equipped by His Spirit to deal with Satan's onslaught.
I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. Galatians 5:16
The sanctified believer knows whose side he is on in the battle ... it is demonstrated by his submission to the Lord and his unyielding opposition to the Evil One.
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