Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 ESV

When you submit yourself to God, as a Christian, you are giving yourself to his will, purpose, and plans. It is understanding that you were purchased by the blood of Jesus, and you are no longer your own. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) It is willfully giving your life to God by abiding and living in accordance with Biblical teachings. It is living under God’s authority by becoming a slave with the desire to obey only him by serving no other master. (Romans 6:16-20) Living submissively is impossible to do in your own strength, and unless you have the Holy Spirit living within you…. you will fail. As a Christian, how well are you living the above description of submission? If you say, “I need to live more like this,” then let us look at where to begin.

SUBMIT YOURSELF THEREFORE TO GOD:
Always remember, everything begins in the mind and then moves to the heart. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their mind on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for IT DOES NOT SUBMIT to God’s law; indeed it cannot. Romans 8:5-7 ESV Submitting to God is not living by your own understanding, but trusting Him in all things. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV Submitting to God is an immediate and ongoing process in life. You will never submit to him until He becomes the desire of your heart and then your heart will desire only Him to be in control of your life. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4 ESV

RESIST THE DEVIL:
I have known many people … myself included …. who at times find resisting temptation so very difficult, but it is imperative in order to submit to the will of God. The true Christian way of living is not easy and will be a battle at times but don’t grow weary or give up. Remember to always dress for battle against the evil one. Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. Ephesians 6:12 ESV (all the armor and its purpose is described in verses 13-18) The reason we fail to live as we should or loose a battle is normally because we were not ready and are spiritually underdressed— not having put on all the armor of God. Just as one dresses physically for the day, one should dress inwardly for spiritual battles. Be sober- minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. RESIST HIM firm in your faith….. 1 Peter 5:8-9a ESV

HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU:
Jesus, in the wilderness, was tempted by the devil to sin, but Jesus resisted and when the battle was over, the devil left him. (Matthew 4: 1-11) Note verse 11……. Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him. Matthew 4:11 ESV I don’t believe this was an easy time for Jesus, for when this time of tempting was over, angels came and ministered to him. The reason the devil will flee from us is not because of who we are but because of who Christ is within the Christian. When Jesus is Lord of your life, you will desire to live Holy because you will love God more than you love your sin. You will want to submit to Him as Savior and Lord and the desire to sin will diminish. When you focus upon the light, it will overcome the darkness. (John 3:16-21)

APPLICATION:……. LIVE ON PURPOSE FOR GOD
Make it a point while you are submitting to put on the whole armor of God. (Ephesians 6:11-18) Make a plan not to fail or live defeated by the devil in whatever part of your life he continually attacks. Failing to plan is a plan to fail. Sometimes that plan is to flee….. Flee from the situation, places, or people that continue to enhance the temptations. When you cannot flee, remember to put on the armor which is for the purpose of standing. (Ephesians 6:13) When you stand using this armor, the devil will flee from you. Live in continual submission to God, and live on purpose for Him.

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David