There is a system that puts the devil to flight. It is the system of resistance. If you keep resisting him, he will eventually flee from you.
When the Lord Jesus was in the wilderness, just after He finished his fast, the devil came in to tempt Him. But the Lord resisted the devil and the devil left him.
Matthew 4:10-11. Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’” Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.
Resistance frustrates the devil. The devil likes to deal with weaklings. When he plays his tactics on you but you remain firm and your faith unshaken, he flees from you.
James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
How can I remain firm and unshaken? How can I not be affected by the news and things I see? How can I resist the devil when I am afflicted daily? By first submitting to God. When you submit to God and obey Him in everything, you take away Satan’s legal right to operate in your life.
In the Bible, Joseph resisted the devil by continually submitting to God. There were many things he faced, but he remained faithful to God. The devil came through his brothers, and through Potiphar’s wife, but Joseph resisted him and remained faithful to his God. He refused to be bitter or to commit adultery when he was seduced by Potiphar’s wife.
Job is another good example of resistance against the enemy. When the devil destroyed all his possessions, Job did not complain but he blessed God and worshipped him, acknowledging that it was God who gave him the possessions, and it was still Him who took them away. Or rather, (allowed Satan to take them away).
Job 1:20-22. Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this, Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.
Submitting to God is victory without having to fight. Yes, the devil is roaring around you to cause fear in you. But your submission to God is automatic resistance against the enemy.
The three men that were thrown into the furnace for worshipping God, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, submitted to God and the fire did not burn them. God was with them in the fire.
Let Us Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for being a pillar to lean on when my knees are feeble. Thank You for being my Comforter when it is stormy and gloomy. Heavenly Father, You are my greatest encourager. Please empower me to resist the devil, as I submit to You.
Ephesians 6:11 – “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”
1 Peter 5:8 – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Resist The Devil
Oh Lord, your Word says that I should submit to You, resist the devil and he will flee. But sometimes I get tempted to give in. Sometimes, it is easier to not resist the devil. I let people’s unkind words get to me. I let fear and worries keep me away from your promises.
Sometimes I even get tempted to fight against flesh and blood, when people are being used by the enemy to frustrate me. Please Lord Jesus, teach me to be submissive to You.
1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.
Resistance Against The Enemy
Grant me a heart of humility, submission to your Word and resistance against the enemy. Help me to know that the devil will flee from me whenever I submit to You and stand firm in your Word.
May I remember that submission to You empowers me to resist the devil. Lord, I know that resisting the devil’s schemes and having firm faith is my weapon of war against the adversary.
And so, as I put on the full armor of God, help me to surrender my whole being to your will and help me to yield fully to you. In Jesus mighty and all-powerful name I pray, Amen.
Romans 6:13 and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.
