Resist The Devil

James 4:6-7 - But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Ephesians 4:26-27 - "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Ephesians 6:12,14-15 - For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms…Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

Conclusions:

• Personal sin is usually due to our evil desires rather than to direct tempting by the devil
• However, Satan can use our sins—especially those, like anger, that are against others—to bring about greater evil, such as divisions among Christians
• “Not against flesh and blood” is a caution against lashing against human opponents as though they were the real enemy and also against assuming that the battle can be fought using merely human resources
• Rulers and forces are Paul’s allusions to powerful beings in the unseen world
• The belt of truth is the symbolic clothing of the Messiah
• Character, not brute force, wins the battle, just as in the case of the Messiah
• The warrior’s character is his defense
• God Himself is symbolically described as putting on a breastplate of righteousness when He goes forth to bring about justice

Application:

• Have you given the devil a foothold?
• Do you lash out against human opponents?
• Are you standing firm?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible