1 Peter 5:8 refers to the devil as “our adversary,” whom we are to resist, steadfast in the faith. How does one resist the devil? James 4:7 says, “Submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Some make the mistake of trying to resist the devil without doing the first part of this verse. It is only by submitting our lives to the Lord that we have power to resist the schemes of the devil. When we submit to God, we are saying, “God, I choose to obey You and obey Your word.” Submitting to God is the first step in resisting the devil.
Webster’s dictionary defines “resist” as “to withstand and remain strong against the force of something.” To remain strong against the forces of the devil takes the power of God. Human strength will only go so far. We need God’s power to withstand the devil. In Luke 10:19 Jesus said, “Behold I give you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy.” Jesus has given His followers authority to use His Name to withstand and remain strong against all the forces of darkness.
Another aspect of resisting the devil is to keep a humble heart. James 4:6 says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” The devil started out as “the anointed cherub or angel” who became so prideful he thought he could overthrow God. When we get lifted up in pride, we are following satan (and God resists the proud). But if we will humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, He will be our help and strength. If the believer in Jesus will submit to God, and resist evil using Jesus’ name and authority, the devil will surely flee from us.
