Getting First Things First in Defeating Temptation
Richard Bradley
James 4:7
Just one verse today. Why one verse? Sometimes that's all we need. Some single verses are so clear and emphatic we don't need much else. This is one of those. However, as clear as this verse is there have been times when it's been dangerously misquoted. When translating and applying Scripture we have to look at the whole truth, the whole verse, and not just the parts we're most impressed with.
Who would not be impressed with the fact that we possess the power to force Lucifer to flee our presence? All believers have the ability to do just that but only if we get the 3-part formula of this verse correct. Just like any good recipe, if we leave out one step we could well have a disaster on our hands!
Want to make the devil flee? Do the following and don't forget that the order is critical.
James 4:7
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
DEFEATING TEMPTATION BEGINS WITH A PRIOR COMMITMENT TO GOD
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
This verse is all about resisting temptation and there's more to it than just saying ''no!'' Nancy Regan once declared a war on drugs by reminding us to ''just say no!'' This strategy rarely works with drugs and almost never works with temptation. James reminded his readers that successfully defeating temptation requires a prior commitment to God and submission to His Lordship.
According to James we don't submit ourselves to the Lordship of Christ when we're tempted. If we wait until the moment of conflict we'll probably lose. If we commit ourselves to God first and then wrestle with temptation the outcome will be far more certain because we'll be able to access the resources of heaven.
DEFEATING TEMPTATION REQUIRES US TO ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE
7 There ...
Richard Bradley
James 4:7
Just one verse today. Why one verse? Sometimes that's all we need. Some single verses are so clear and emphatic we don't need much else. This is one of those. However, as clear as this verse is there have been times when it's been dangerously misquoted. When translating and applying Scripture we have to look at the whole truth, the whole verse, and not just the parts we're most impressed with.
Who would not be impressed with the fact that we possess the power to force Lucifer to flee our presence? All believers have the ability to do just that but only if we get the 3-part formula of this verse correct. Just like any good recipe, if we leave out one step we could well have a disaster on our hands!
Want to make the devil flee? Do the following and don't forget that the order is critical.
James 4:7
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
DEFEATING TEMPTATION BEGINS WITH A PRIOR COMMITMENT TO GOD
7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
This verse is all about resisting temptation and there's more to it than just saying ''no!'' Nancy Regan once declared a war on drugs by reminding us to ''just say no!'' This strategy rarely works with drugs and almost never works with temptation. James reminded his readers that successfully defeating temptation requires a prior commitment to God and submission to His Lordship.
According to James we don't submit ourselves to the Lordship of Christ when we're tempted. If we wait until the moment of conflict we'll probably lose. If we commit ourselves to God first and then wrestle with temptation the outcome will be far more certain because we'll be able to access the resources of heaven.
DEFEATING TEMPTATION REQUIRES US TO ENGAGE IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE
7 There ...
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