James 4:7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you
Folks, if you've been walking with the Lord for any time at all, you've probably felt it, that sudden heaviness, those accusing thoughts, the confusion or fear that seems to come out of nowhere.
Maybe it's hitting your family hard, or your mind won't rest, or you sense a real battle over your home. The Scriptures don't hide this from us. The Bible tells us plainly that we have an enemy, and he's active. But praise God, he's a defeated foe, and greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.
The apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6 that our struggle isn't against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this age, spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.
Satan is real, he's prowling like a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8), but he's not God's equal. He's a created being who fell, and he's already judged. His biggest victories come when he keeps people blind to the gospel or keeps believers defeated so we don't share the good news of Jesus.
Think about it: God's will is clear. He desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). That's His heart, whosoever will may come.
Satan’s plan is the opposite: blind the minds of those who don't believe, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine on them (2 Corinthians 4:3-4). If he can't keep someone lost, his next move is to sidetrack, discourage, or bind the believer so the ministry of reconciliation we’ve been given doesn't go forward.
But here's the beautiful truth: once you've trusted Christ as your Saviour, believing that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again, you have eternal life right now. You can know it (1 John 5:13).
It's not probation; it's a free gift by grace through faith, not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9). And because of that, the enemy has a target on you. He shoots fiery darts ~ lies ~ at your mind: doubt, fear, bitterness, thoughts of the past, feelings of failure. Those darts are meant to catch fire in your thinking and spread.
So what do we do when the attack comes? Let's look at what the Word teaches us, step by step.
Firstly, combat the attacks with the Word of God. Remember how Jesus faced the tempter in the wilderness? Three times Satan came, and three times the Lord answered, “It is written…” (Matthew 4). He didn't argue; He quoted Scripture. Find verses that meet the lie head-on, memorise them, and speak them out loud. The sword of the Spirit is the Word of God, use it!
Secondly, take every thought captive. Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 we are to cast down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
When that dark thought flashes, fear, immorality, “I'm no good,” “Did I really believe enough?”, grab it. Reject it. Say, “No, that's a lie. This is what God says.”
Thirdly, change your focus. Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). It's a choice. When the mind starts racing, deliberately turn it to the Lord. Think on what is true, honourable, just, pure (Philippians 4:8). Let your mind dwell on Him.
Fourthly, control what you feed your soul. I will set no wicked thing before my eyes (Psalm 101:3). If something on the screen, the radio, or the internet stirs up darkness or false teaching, turn it off. We don't need to feed the flesh or give the enemy ammunition.
Fifthly, and this is crucial, confess and forsake known sin. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Forgiveness is instant when we agree with God about our sin. But deliverance comes when we also forsake it.
He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy (Proverbs 28:13). Forgiveness isn't the same as freedom from the problem.
If we keep returning to it, we leave a door open. But when we turn from it, by God's grace, the foothold crumbles.
Sixthly, walk in the Spirit. This I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh (Galatians 5:16). It's daily dependence on Him. Submit to God first, then resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
Seventhly, keep trusting and obeying the Word. Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2). Old patterns get replaced with new ones as we fill our hearts with truth.
Folks listen to me, you don't fight this in your own strength. Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).
The shield of faith quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked one (Ephesians 6:16).
Satan is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44), but Jesus has already won the victory. Plead the blood, speak the Word, stand in submission to the Lord, and watch the enemy flee.
If you're feeling the pressure today, start right where you are. Speak those promises out loud. Let the Holy Spirit fill the room.
The battle is the Lord's, and He who began a good work in you will complete it.
Keep looking up ~ Jesus is coming soon. Until then, stand firm in Him.
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