Resisting the Devil
Discipleship S.T.E.P.S.: Equip
Scripture: Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. – James 4:7 (KJV)
Resisting the devil is impossible if we are standing in our own strength. James 4:7 provides the necessary sequence: we must first submit to God. Submission is the act of bowing our will to His, acknowledging that He is the Master of our lives. When we are firmly positioned in submission to God, we gain the spiritual authority to resist the devil’s schemes. Without submission, our resistance is mere human effort; with submission, our resistance is backed by the power of the Spirit.
Identify the temptation that is currently knocking at your door—whether it is pride anger doubt or a specific sinful habit. Don’t try to fight it alone. Fall to your knees surrender that area to God’s lordship, and then, from that place of surrender, take your stand. You are not fighting for victory; you are fighting from the victory Christ has already won.
Prompt: What temptation do you need to actively resist by submitting to God today?
Action Step: The Equip module trains us to stand firm against spiritual opposition through submission and resistance.
Next Step: Verbally declare your submission to God in an area where you feel tempted.