Fight Sin by Resisting the Devil

Weapon 19 – Resist the Devil.

Let me just say a word about spiritual warfare.

James 4:7 says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” We like to do a bunch of weird things with Spiritual warfare. The Bible tells us simply to resist him. Don’t fall prey to his lies. Rather, stand firm on what Christ has said about you – that’s weapon 14.

In Ephesians 6, when we’re told about the armor of God – the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, and whatnot. The whole theme of this passage, the repeated line is that we would resist the devil. That we would stand firm.

6:11- Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Vs 13 – that you may be able to withstand… to stand firm. Vs 14 – stand therefore…

When the devil attacks, our call is to stand firm. How do you do that? By loading yourself up with truth. My memorizing and mediating on scripture. By trusting in God that He has already won the war. By not falling prey to His power, but turning it against him.

So keep your feet firmly planted in the faith. Be anchored like an old oak tree. The devil will come against you with everything he has, the wind is going to blow – but your call is to be planted in Christ and resist. Maybe you lose a few limbs in the process, maybe you feel like you can’t handle any more.

But cling the God who makes the promise of James 4:7 – Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

After Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, after Jesus stood firm against the Devil’s temptation, what did Satan do?

He left. Forever? No – of course not – but until an opportune time.

So stand firm against the devil. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.