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