Young People's Group

LEARNING TO RESIST THE DEVIL

by Pastor Mitch
November 20, 2005

Satan And The Sin Of Pride

Why do people go to war? Why do people fight and strive with one another? One of the causes is the hideous sin called pride. The evil one in all his shrewdness will use this sin as a deadly weapon against vulnerable human beings. The proud will always rise up against others. In the text of James 4:6, James wrote of how “God resists the proud”. He will always stand against those who allow their pride to get the better of them. The evil one, on the other hand, will use the sin of pride to create strife.

Depending On The Grace Of God To Resist The Devil

“Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7

The word “resist” means to “withstand”. We are to stand up against the evil one and not let him overcome us. However, we cannot do this by our own strength. We need the Lord to grant us His abundant grace to combat Satan’s temptations.

“God… gives grace to the humble.”
James 4:6

It is through His grace that He will empower us. He will give us grace that is greater than the powers of the evil one. Our part is to wisely seek to be humble.

1. Submitting Ourselves To God And His Word

“Therefore submit to God.”
James 4:7

It is the Lord who helps us to yield ourselves to Him. When we realise that we are nothing before the Lord, we will surrender ourselves to Him. He enables us to submit ourselves to His grace and sovereignty.

2. Cleansing Ourselves From The Sin Of Pride

“Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
James 4:8

It is crucial that we ask the Lord for forgiveness and cleansing. The heart cannot be right with God unless there is the cleansing of the sin of pride in our lives. We need to ask Him to purify our heart and help us not to waver when it comes to facing temptations.

3. Drawing Near To God

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
James 4:8

There will also come a natural desire to seek the Lord. We will naturally seek to draw near to Him. As we repent from the sin of pride, God will draw near to us. His presence will be felt.

4. Humbling Ourselves Before God

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”
James 4:10

We are to be conscious of how great God is and how we are but “dust” before Him. Let’s learn to have the kind of faith that will set aside pride and humble ourselves in the sight of God. He will lift us up in His own time.

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