I’m going to give you something quick this morning. Something practical.
I want you to resist.
I was drawn to James 4 during my abiding time today. Dang, there are a lot of good nuggets in those verses. But let me highlight verse seven, which says: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
I generally don’t like to base theology on what’s not said, but I do think we can at least make some interesting observations. And here’s mine: James doesn’t say when the devil will flee. The call is to resist, and he will — at some point — flee.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always imagined the fleeing as instantaneous. I resist, whatever that looks like, and the devil tucks his tail and runs. But what if it’s not that at all? What if the fleeing doesn’t happen for a week? A month? A year? A decade?
What if it doesn’t happen this side of glory?
On May 27 of 2023, I committed to sobriety. I began resisting, resisting the urge to drink and escape. But during the 4th of July weekend of last year, I stopped that resisting. I gave in to the desire. I relapsed.
The devil didn’t flee from me on May 28, 2023. In fact, there are still times I think how nice it would be if I could just enjoy a drink like a normal person. So I must keep resisting.
I don’t know what you’ve been called to resist. Maybe it’s alcohol like me. Maybe it’s pride. Maybe it’s narcissism or anger. The call in James is to resist. The devil will flee from you when you do. I don’t know when, but he will.
So keep resisting. And know this: there are times you are going to think you have completed the work of resisting and can let your guard down. Don’t do that. Keep it up. I’ve learned that the devil likes to come “like a thief in the night” and mount sneak attacks when we think he’s gone for good.
Be a part of the resistance. And keep resisting.
"...Resist narcissism or anger" — I am astounded you even labeled these as something to resist. I have been in a WAR with these for years now, a war I didn't know I was in, until it got BAD two weeks ago.
That which I resist is distinctly "other than" me, and recognizing that has been a game changer for me. In Christ, I am ONE with Him. I am not "one with" these other things, and the places where I WAS are what He is working out of me, thank God.
Such a powerful piece. It’s wonderful to know that we can resist in community, too 🙏🏼we don’t have to do this thing alone.