Resisting the Devil – Another perspective

James 4:7 Classic Amplified Bible
So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 is one of those “go-to” scriptures that a new believer learns early on. While we do not want to focus on the devil’s existence, we must also recognize that in this world we will have to deal with attacks from him throughout our lives.

Early on in our walk with the Lord we are taught several different ways to “submit to God” and to “resist the devil.”  We submit to God and resist the devil when we declare, “It is written…” and then quote scripture that applies to our situation.  We are also taught the importance of giving praise to the Lord as we navigate a challenge; according to the Word, the Lord inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3). A third powerful way to submit to God and resist the devil is by applying the BLOOD of Jesus which insulates us from the enemy’s hand (Revelation 12:11).

A well-known minister of the gospel recently shared how taking communion at home can be another very effective way to put action to our faith concerning James 4:7. First we must clarify the meaning of I Corinthians 11:27 which warns against taking communion in an unworthy manner. Religious tradition states that taking communion in an unworthy manner means that we don’t take communion if we have sinned or fallen short.  However, that is exactly the time we need to be taking communion. We need to remind ourselves of what Jesus did for us on the CROSS and realize our sins are not imputed to us. We take communion in a worthy manner when we accept who God says we are, receive what He says we can do, and have what He says we can have. In essence, we are “submitting to God” when we receive our identity as born-again believers.

We resist the devil in taking communion by giving voice to I Corinthians 11:26 :  “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, YOU PROCLAIM THE LORD’S DEATH until He comes.” Every time we confess this scripture as we take communion, we are reminding the enemy of his defeat at the CROSS and his final destination in the Lake of Fire. That is “resisting the devil” in its highest form.

Taking communion privately is a wonderful way to live out James 4:7. It is a powerful way to honor the Lord for all He did for us at the CROSS. And, it is a powerful reminder to the devil who delights in reminding us of our past, of the certainty of his future! Philippians 1:28 (AMP) sums it up nicely;

And in no way be alarmed or intimidated [in anything] by your
 opponents, for such [constancy and fearlessness on your part]
 is a [clear] sign [a proof and a seal] for them of [their impending]
 destruction, but [a clear sign] for you of deliverance and salvation,
 and that too, from God.

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