Have you noticed that in our present culture, the word resist has taken on new meaning?  Presently, resist means, resist civility; resist forgiveness; resist discretion; resist honor; and perhaps on top of the list…resist truth.

And if perhaps if like Pilate you ask, “What is truth?”  Please read John 14:6 and you will most certainly know it.

Back to resist.  The greatest use of the word of course is in the Bible –

“Therefore submit to God, RESIST the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

When you read this scripture in context you begin to see a fuller picture.  What we learn is that by resisting the enemy we miss all the mess in the six preceding verses.  Let’s look.

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members?
You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask.
You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”?
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.  James 4:1-7

All these troubles will never set foot in your house if you know how to resist the devil! It’s really not too complicated.  Without going too deep, we must know that humans are never the issue.  There is just God and satan, both spiritual beings.  The battle of the ages is between them.  Humans have no dog in this fight.  Because though man is also a spirit, while on earth we simply take sides.  Whichever side we connect with will manifest itself through us while we are residents on terra firma.  It’s a battle for glory.

Here are the points we need to understand:

• satan makes Narcissus look like an amateur.
• Sin is the vehicle through which satan displays himself.
• satan does not even mind being rebuked and bound all the time; we’re still giving him attention. *** There is certainly a time to bind and rebuke!
• Wars, fighting, lusts, covetousness, immorality and pride are all manifestations of satanic glory.
• When life is all about us, it’s really all about the devil.
• God resists those who continually refuse to resist satan.
• The highest form of resistance is Ignoring!

The action plan goes like this – When you get a thought that you know is not from God, don’t obsess over it!  Is this the devil?  Is it my flesh?  Is this that burrito from yesterday? Who cares?  It Is NOT from God.  Rebel against it!  PUSH BACK!!

You hear, “You are going to have a bad day today.”  Rebel against that thought, “This is the Day My God has made. I will rejoice and be glad. I will succeed, enjoy favor, blessing and extravagant abundance in the Lord my God who has given me power to get wealth at every level of life and supplies all my need according to His riches in glory in Christ JESUS.”  Question? How many more thoughts do you think satan wants to drop on you?

When we push back on satan by ignoring his thoughts and actively rebelling against them with God’s Word he is demoralized.  We rob him of his only power; and that is to be acknowledged as a credible threat against a child of God.  Authorities do not rebuke death row inmates. Why?  They are already defeated, being held captive and awaiting their demise.  Sounds like satan to me.

Oh but pastor, the Bible says that the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.  Of course it also says he’s a liar and deceiver.  But finish it…But resist him, firm in your faith…”  There it is again. RESIST.  Push back.  Rebel against him with your faith.

We DO NOT have to acknowledge every thought satan plants in our head!

Look at the scriptures above and meditate on God Gives More Grace.  Remember, where sin increased…grace superabounded…(AMP).  When you are at your weakest, you’re still stronger than the devil.

It is not about you.  It’s about your Captain, Jehovah-Sabboath, The Lord of Hosts!  Declare His Word and ignore the defeated creep.  His time is coming and he knows it.  Give him not a shred of attention, and you’ll find him where he belongs; crushed and conquered by the perfect blood of the Lamb and the Word of Your Testimony!Resist the devil image

With God all things are possible. PRG