Resist the devil, and he will flee from you?

This familiar phrase is an often quoted scripture meant to encourage us when we are under attack from the enemy.  In it we find a promise from God that we can stand in the face of temptation, and that if we resist the devil, he will leave us alone.  While that all sounds like good news, a closer look at scripture shows us that this phrase was never meant to stand on its own.  We discover that this promise is a benefit and by-product of a right attitude and right approach to God.  James 4:7 says that before we can resist, we must "Submit therefore to God", then we can "resist the devil and he will flee from you."  See, we have no power in our wimpy flesh to stand against even the weakest of the lesser demons, much less Satan himself.  Like a kid constantly pushed around by the school bully, we need someone bigger standing with us, someone the bully is afraid to mess with.  Jesus is willing to stand with us in our moment of attack, and the bully is definitely afraid of Him. You see, Jesus has beaten the bully before.  He beat him on the cross of calvary, when He bled and died and took away the power of sin and death. Jesus settled this thing forever.  So scripture tells us in James 4 that to be safe from that bully, we need to make a habit of hanging around with God.  "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you" -vs 8.
To be clear, if you want victory over the attacks of the devil, we must do it as God intends.
    
So the right attitude and approach is as follows -

"Submit therefore to God.  Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.
Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Be miserable, mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy to gloom.
Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you."  - James 4:7-10 (emphasis added)


Submission is a hard thing for us.  It means we are no longer in charge.  It means that our way is no longer the best way.  Submission means we begin to live life according to the will of God as recorded in scripture.  It is only when we can truly say with our hearts and minds, and with our life: "God, I am Yours.  Have Your way - whatever that means and wherever that takes me, no matter the cost, I will follow You."  When that becomes who we are in Christ, then you will see victory over your enemy like you've never experienced before.

"Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed at this great horde,
for the battle is not yours but God's." - 2 Chronicles 20:15b

Where does your devotion lie?

     What is it that motivates us to act, to do, to go? There are things that we will sacrifice for; things that we will go to great effort to experience or obtain.  Then there are other things that we won't get off the couch for.  What's the difference? Is the one thing of great importance and the other not? And how can something move one person to action and the same thing have no moving effect on someone else?
Jonathon Edwards said that we are moved by our natural affections. He explained that we all have things in our life that we naturally deem important, and other things that have little or no importance to us at all. Then there are those things in the middle - affections that, according to our mood, we can take or leave.
    Growing up in church, I remember going because I was supposed to, because I was made to.  I went, but there was no affection that moved me to go. It was just as easy for me to miss as it was for me to attend.  But all my affections changed when Jesus came and changed my heart. He gave me a new nature, and with that, new natural affections.  Now I desire to worship with other believers. Now I have a desire to read his word. I want to know Him, and the old affections continue to fade away.
    Our affections are what we're drawn to. Where we devote our time, our extra money, our passion - these will tell us who we really are - and who we really aren't.  If we profess Jesus as our Lord and Savior, but our lives are devoted to the things of this world, then we show that our affections haven't changed, which means our nature hasn't changed, and we are not His. (1 John 3:7-10).

Welcome

Welcome to the Neil's Blog

For the first posting, I would like to give everyone an overview of the purpose of this blog.
This will be an attempt for you to look deep into my mind; to search the endless caverns full of intellectual treasures. This is your chance to experience the plethora of wisdom that makes me who I am.  So sit back, relax, and enjoy your trip as you explore the great depths of me!
So.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................uh..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................umm................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. - ok, the caverns are empty.

I guess I'll go back to my original plan.

In this blog I invite you to join me to know the depths of God.  1 Corinthians 2:10 says that the Spirit searches the mind of God, the depths of who He is, to reveal Himself to us. There are treasures there waiting to be discovered. My hearts desire is that this blog will be a help to you and to me, that we may grow to know Him better, and He may reveal to us, through His Spirit, the deep things that are hidden in Him.
Explore with you soon,
Neil