”God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7
Dear heavenly Father, this Scripture reminds me that I can make some things more complicated and dramatic than they need to be. This is certainly the case when it comes to spiritual warfare.
When I look back over the years at all the different teaching I’ve had about engaging in spiritual warfare, much of it promoted more fear than faith, more phobia than freedom, more preoccupation with darkness than fascination with the Light of the World. Somewhere along the line, I missed the image of a fleeing devil. Alas, another arena for gospel-sanity.
I know we can ill afford to be naïve about the destructive schemes of the enemy, and his prowling, devouring plans (2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Pet. 5:8). Because of the cross of Jesus, the devil knows his time is short and he’s filled with fury. En route to his sure demise, he ramps up his seducing, tempting, and condemning ways, every opportunity he gets.
But even more so, we can ill afford to be ignorant about how to resist the devil with the gospel. “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (1 Jn. 3:8), and he has succeeded.
So today, in full view on Jesus’ finished work, I humble myself before you and submit to you, Father. I gladly acknowledge my weakness and need. Indeed, I need the gospel today as much as I did the first day you declared me to be righteous in your sight. I trust you in this moment for all the grace and strength I’ll need to live for your glory today.
Lord Jesus, I confess you to be my Prophet, Priest, and King—my righteousness, holiness and my redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)—my sufficiency, Advocate and defender. I boast in you plus nothing, for there’s nothing boast-worthy in me.
I’ll resist the devil’s deceitful and damning ways by looking unto you—availing myself of your mercy and your might—your past triumph and current reign; your perfect sacrifice and perpetual intercession. With the eye of faith, I set my gaze on you, the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:2). So very Amen I pray with joy and peace, in your powerful and triumphant name.
