Resisting the Devil

While some do not take the devil seriously, the Word of God affirms again and again that he is an adversary of anyone who seeks to submit their lives to God.  The Apostle James speaks of this spiritual reality as he wrote, "Submit yourselves therefore to God.  Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."  (James 4:7)  Of course, this is not the only place where the power of evil is set forth in an adversarial role.  Even a casual reading of the story of Jesus points to the way he attacked Jesus at different times.   

One of the strongest warnings found in the Scripture was made by the Apostle Paul when he wrote, "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His power.  Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil  For our struggle is...against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places  Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day...."  (Ephesians 6:10-13)  What is described is not some ordinary battle, but one where the soul is at risk.    

It is important for us to resist the evil one whenever he makes himself known.  Denying his presence in the world does us no good.  It is a fool's game with disastrous consequences.  Satan always seeks to undermine what God is seeking to do in our lives.  Our living is diminished as well as the Kingdom's work when we succumb to him instead of resisting him.  His presence is easy to discern.  Whenever we seek our own agenda instead of the agenda of God, the devil is not only present, but smiling.