James 4:7
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Submission is looking at the humble, self-emptied example of Jesus and choosing to follow in His steps every day. “Not my will but thine be done.” James here, commands the reader to make a conscious choice to submit their imperfect will to God's perfect will.
Resist literally means to stand against; to withstand, to act in opposition to. James is saying, take a stand against the devil. Set yourself against the devil. Withstand the devil and his minions. Therefore, when we submit to God and resist the devil, then he must immediately flee! This is a promise and one all believers should commit to memory so that they are always prepared for spiritual battle.
The Truth
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:10-13)
