now in this matter of arguments james gives us a personality that needs to be reckoned with. in other words we need to be aware, be alert. realize what he's doing. realize where the conflict comes from and that he's the source behind it. don't be dumb. don't be ignorant. we need to get wise to satan.
james 4.7b (niv), resist the devil and he will flee from you.
now the word "resist" is a war term. it means to be prepared. to stand against. withstand an attack. the devil wants to destroy your marriage. he wants to destroy every good relationship in your life. why?
because he loves conflict, arguments. he wants confusion, arguments, stress, hurt feelings, disappointments, anger, chaos. he loves to do it. james says you've got to give into GOD, let him have control.
then you've got to do some defensive action. you've got to resist the devil and realize what he is doing. if you get up in the morning and you don't run into the devil head on, it means you're already going in the same direction.
2 corinthians 2:11(ms), we don't want to unwittingly give satan an opening for yet more mischief—we're not oblivious to his sly ways!
paul the writer of this letter to the corinthians says, wise up! recognize his tactics. know how he operates.
so how does the devil operate? well, he doesn't stand around with a pitchfork and a red suit, like underwoods deviled ham. no, he plays on our pride. particularly wounded pride. he tells us what we want to hear. he whispers in our ear. he gives us little thoughts, suggestions, ideas.
when you're in the middle of an argument, he starts whispering in your ear, things like, "you don't have to take this stuff. retaliate. who do they think they are? get even. assert yourself! don't put up with this kind of stuff. show 'em who's boss." he tells you all the things your pride would love to hear. but you need to say, "satan, i know that's you." resist him.
so how do you resist the devil? same way JESUS did. he quoted scripture. memorize proverbs 13:10, pride leads to arguments.
the next time you get into an argument, that scripture can be brought to your mind by the LORD and you stop and think, "how am i being prideful here? what am i not willing to compromise? where am i only thinking of myself and not the other person's needs, desires and attitudes?"
there is a great promise here. it says, resist the devil and he will flee from you. you don't have to put up with him. give in to GOD and get wise to satan.
Just some thoughts up here on the front porch...
3 comments:
Hi Bill!!
I never looked at the word resist that way. Whenever this scripture comes to mind i would always think.."ignore" the devil and he will flee from you. But what would really happen is "ignore" the devil "for the moment" and he will flee from you "and then come back". I know thats not what it says but my brain would think that way. But to think of resist as a war term..thats a whole new ball game! I have learned his tactics and unfortunately i know his whisper by heart. But God's voice is stonger and God's word overpowers his whisper to bring me comfort and joy!
Thanks for my new perspective of "resist". Your blog is better than any devotional on the market! Thanks for taking the time to care.
Wow... so true. Pride is the place he attacks, isn't it?... being human we can fall into that trap. We needed this reminder to be prepared Bill... thanks! Such a blessing that we not only have God helping us on this journey, but that he gives us people here to help us through too!
Oh So true. We all seem so aware that we know the devil is hiding behind the corner, yet think it is towards another. Yet if we change te perspective to Resist rather than ignore or shun, we can be so much more equipped and not just read. Thanks Bill for redirecting my awareness of the devil and his bad ways.
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