Resist the Devil
Week 2- Position Yourself Under God
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
— James 4:7b
Last week, we talked about surrendering to God—placing ourselves under His authority, His protection, His leadership. But James doesn’t stop there.
Right after that call to submit, he gives us the next move:
“Resist the devil.”
If submission is about choosing whose authority we live under,
resistance is about choosing whose voice we won’t listen to anymore.
🛡️ What Does “Resisting the Devil” Actually Look Like?
Some days, resistance is bold.
Other days, it’s a barely-whispered “no.”
But it’s always a choice.
Let’s talk about what this can look like in real life:
🔥 Spiritual Warfare in the Dark
Sometimes resistance happens in the unseen—in dreams or moments when our spirit feels stirred up and under attack.
I’ve had nights where the heaviness was so thick, the fear so intense, I knew it wasn’t just “a bad dream.” And in those moments, I’ve had to speak truth out loud, even if my voice trembled:
“Jesus is Lord. You don’t belong here.”
“My home and my heart belong to Him.”
That is resistance.
And yes—the enemy flees.
🧠 Everyday Mental Battles
Resistance also happens quietly—like when that old lie comes creeping back into your thoughts:
You’re not enough.
You messed up again—why even try?
God’s disappointed in you.
It’s in those moments we stop and say:
“That’s not what God says about me.”
We take every thought captive and hold it up to God’s truth (2 Corinthians 10:5).
We don’t just let those thoughts sit there. We confront them.
That is resistance.
🕯️ Tiny Choices with Big Impact
Sometimes, resisting the devil looks like:
Not opening that app or site you already know is a temptation
Walking away from gossip when the conversation turns
Refusing to pick up offense when someone speaks carelessly
Choosing to pray when you’d rather scroll
Keeping your mouth shut when sarcasm wants to win
Forgiving when bitterness feels justified
Saying “no” to fear and “yes” to rest
Waking up and simply saying, “Not today, Satan.”
You don’t need a stage or spotlight to be a threat to darkness.
You just need a heart that’s anchored in truth.
🕊️ And Here’s the Promise:
James doesn’t say, “Resist the devil, and maybe he’ll get bored.”
He says:
“…and he will flee from you.”
Not because you’re intimidating.
But because the presence of God in you is.
When you resist the enemy in submission to Jesus, you’re no longer standing alone.
He doesn’t just back off—he flees.
🪞 Reflect:
What lies have I believed that need to be resisted?
Where have I been silent when I should be standing in truth?
What’s one way I can practice resistance this week—even in something small?
🙏 Prayer:
Lord, I’m tired of giving space to the enemy in my thoughts, my choices, and my home.
Help me recognize what’s not from You.
Give me courage to stand firm—even when the temptation feels small or subtle.
I don’t resist with my own strength—I resist in Yours.
Thank You for the promise that the enemy must flee when I stand in You.
Amen.