Resist Temptation

James 4:7New International Version says

⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Many people may view submitting to God’s will as a negative or dull concept. They may believe that it restricts their freedom, limits their desires, and forces them to live a monotonous and unfulfilling life. However, this perception overlooks the true essence of surrendering to God’s will and fails to recognize the immense benefits it brings.

Contrary to popular belief, submitting to God’s will is not about blindly following a set of rules or relinquishing one’s autonomy. It is about recognizing that God, being all-knowing and all-loving, has a perfect plan for our lives. By surrendering to His will, we align ourselves with divine wisdom, guidance, and purpose. Rather than succumbing to the temptations of the devil, which only seek to harm and destroy us, submitting to God’s will allows us to experience true flourishing and success in every aspect of our lives.

God desires nothing but the best for His children. He wants us to thrive and live abundant lives filled with joy, peace, and fulfillment. When we surrender to His will, we open ourselves up to His blessings and interventions. We give Him the opportunity to shape our lives according to His perfect design, which ultimately leads to a deeper sense of purpose, fulfillment, and lasting happiness.

Moreover, submitting to God’s will is an act of trust and faith. It requires us to let go of our own limited understanding and embrace God’s infinite wisdom. By surrendering our desires, plans, and ambitions to Him, we acknowledge that He knows what is truly best for us, even when we cannot see it. This act of surrender allows us to release the burden of trying to control every aspect of our lives and instead place our trust in a God who is infinitely capable and loving.

We live in a world that is full of temptations and conflicts. We are often drawn by our own desires and passions to pursue things that are not pleasing to God. We fight and quarrel with others because we want what they have, or we want to impose our will on them. We are friends with the world, but enemies of God.

How can we overcome this sinful condition? How can we resist the devil and his schemes? The answer is simple, but not easy: we must submit ourselves to God. We must humble ourselves before Him and acknowledge His sovereignty and grace. We must surrender our wills and our lives to His perfect will. We must trust Him to provide for us and protect us.

When we submit ourselves to God, we are able to resist the devil. We have the power and authority of God on our side. We have the armor of God to shield us from his attacks. We have the word of God to expose his lies. We have the Spirit of God to guide us and strengthen us. We have the promise of God that he will flee from us if we resist him.

But submission to God is not a one-time act. It is a daily choice and a constant attitude. It requires repentance and confession of our sins. It requires prayer and obedience to God’s commands. It requires love and service to God’s people. It requires faithfulness and perseverance in God’s ways.

Let us therefore submit ourselves to God today and every day. Let us resist the devil and he will flee from us. Let us draw near to God and He will draw near to us. Let us cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. Let us mourn and weep over our sins. Let us humble ourselves before the Lord and He will lift us up. Submitting to God’s will is far from a bad or boring thing. It is a transformative and empowering choice that leads to a life of purpose, fulfillment, and true flourishing. By surrendering to God’s wisdom and guidance, we escape the harmful grasp of the devil’s temptations and open ourselves up to abundant blessings from a God who loves us unconditionally. Let us embrace this beautiful concept and experience the incredible joy and peace that comes with aligning our lives with God’sperfect will.