“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
–James 4:7
James 4:7 is VERY important advice–for ANY time but particularly for the end times–from an unimpeachable source: the Bible.
A few quick thoughts about James 4:7.
1- Many omit the first five words of James 4:7. This is especially true of many church folk. Once there was a church where most of the congregation enjoyed telling others “Resist the devil and he will flee.” By leaving out the first half of the verse, they destroyed the whole verse. “Submit yourself to God” is as important as “Resist the devil and he will flee.”
Perhaps this is why so many express doubts about whether James 4:7 really is effective.
It may be important to note here that so many in the times in which we live–as well as WHERE we live–have a hard time with the word “submit.” When a person has been indoctrinated from an early age that submission is a bad, weak behavior, that person will naturally resist submitting to anything–including God Almighty.
2- So many have claimed that resisting the devil is too hard–and it IS hard, even for the believer. Satan is a tricky fellow. But here’s one clue: the more one resists, the easier it becomes. The less one resists, the harder it becomes.
3- One must put one’s whole self into resisting the devil if he is to be made to flee.
“Resisting the devil” implies resisting with all of the spirit and will one can muster.
Halfhearted resistance is not really resisting at all.
4- James 4:7 is NOT a mantra or a magic spell.
James 4:7 is sound advice; but it is only information. IF there is no action on the part of the one doing the resisting, nothing will happen. The act of resisting MUST take place.
5- Once upon a time, the popular culture issued its own version of James 4:7: “The devil made me do it.”
The devil doesn’t make anyone do anything.
The devil is a tricky fellow: he will lie and talk a person into doing something.
He does not force anyone to do anything.
There are other thoughts concerning James 4:7.
But those will have to wait to another time.
MORE: Resist the Devil and He Will Flee: A Two-Step Plan
DOES the reader try to resist Satan?
DOES the reader even care about resisting Satan?
It is not YET too late: there is still time to change direction (repent), place your faith for the future entirely on Jesus Christ and enter the kingdom of heaven.
DOES the reader believe he is saved?
Make Your Calling and Election Sure: End Times Survival
DOES the reader believe he is NOT saved?
Time is Running Out: Today is the Day of Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: Making a Choice
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The End Times Power of God Unleashed
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ”
–1 Corinthians 15:1-8
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”
-–Romans 1:16
MORE: Resist the Devil and He Will Flee: A Two-Step Plan
MORE: OBSERVATIONS: Archives
[Parts of this piece originally appeared in End Times Prophecy Headlines: June 29-30-July 1, 2018.]
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- Gospel of Jesus Christ: The Power of God Unto Salvation
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by Jeremiah Jameson
–with Mondo Frazier
image: ETPR/Wikimedia Commons/pd/ETPR
© Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report, 2012-18. © Mondo Frazier and End Times Prophecy Report, DBKP 2007-2018. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Jeremiah J. Jameson and End Times Prophecy Report with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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