RESIST

THE DEVIL

Resisting the devil is not an option, it is demanded by God: "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you" (Jms 4:7); "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom
        he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith " (lPt 5:8,9). How do we resist
the devil?
WE MUST HAVE THE WILLL TO RESIST. Some so love the world and
pleasures of sin that they simply do not want to resist; "And the lusts of your father (the devil) you will do" (In 8:44). Such people give up quickly, easily, gladly. God works successfully in us only by getting us to "will and do after His good pleasure" (Phi12: 13). Nothing replaces the desire to want to do what is right.
DEVELOP A CONFIDENT SPIRIT, A "CAN D0" ATTITUDE. Remember
what the apostle Paul said: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil 4:13). As long as we keep our sight on Jesus, and know confidently that God is with us, we can resist the devil by having the confidence to know that "Greater is He who is in you than
 he who is in the world" (Un 4:4). .
  SCRIPTURE IS NEEDED TO RESIST.
  The Bible is not a charm that scares the devil away; but its truths will enable us to intimidate and send
 him away from us. Jesus met Satan with "It is I
  written" and the devil left (Mt 4:1-11). The Word is
 a Christian's spiritual sword (EPH 6:17). Satan
  overcomes only those who "love not" and "believe
  not the truth" (2Ths 2:10-12).
  LEARN TO PRAY, BE CONSISTENT IN IT. Prayer helps us resist the devil. The Lord told Peter to "watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation" (Mk 14:38). The Lord spent the night of His arrest in prayer. Ask God for help in resisting the devil; He knows how to deliver the godly out of temptation (2Pt 2:9).
  ASK GOD FOR WISDOM TO HELP YOU RESIST. James recommended prayer for "wisdom in time of trial" (Jms 1:5). Fighting Satan is no fool's game! Good judgment is absolutely necessary if we are to defeat the enemy's cunning and deceitful tricks. Wisdom comes not only by prayer, but also from worshiping God, and by studying and applying God's Word. So attend every worship service and Bible class possibl.e. Successful resistance demands that we be "not ignorant of his devices" (2Co 2:11).
    DEVELOP A GOOD CHARACTER SO THAT YOU CAN RESIST. That
    means being morally strong in the Lord" and by "putting on the whole armor of God." Learn to be godly and holy.in your daily decisions (Ep 6: 1 0-13). The result? You will "stand against the wiles (stratagems) of the devil," and "withstand in the evil day."
   ASSOCIATE WITH GODLY PEOPLE. Make friends of Christians who are
   trying their best to be free from sin. Get together with them as much as possible. As surely as evil companions help corrupt us (1 Co 16:33), good companionship will do the opposite. Good brethren will "provoke one another unto love and good works" (Hb 10:24).