But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:6-8 NKJV

You cannot resist the devil until you have first submitted to God.

God gives us all the grace we need to overcome sin and the devil:

But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, 21 so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20b-21 NKJV

God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble:

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.” 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:5-7 NKJV

A proud, arrogant spirit makes you an easy target for the devil. When you think you can deal with the devil on your own terms, you will find out that you are no match for him. The power comes only from Jesus and flows through a life that is submitted to Him.

Jesus has defeated the devil and all authority has been given to Him:

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. Acts 10:38 NKJV

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Matthew 28:18 NKJV

Jesus gave the authority to use His Name to the believer:

Then the seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” 18 And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20 NKJV

You have authority over devils and demons, but your rejoicing should not be over that, but only the fact that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

Therefore fully submit to God and His Word with your spirit and with your mind and will:

My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart. 22 For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh. Proverbs 4:20-22 AMP

[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God’s Law; indeed it cannot. Romans 8:7 AMP

So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word. Ephesians5:26 AMP

The carnal mind, which has not been renewed to God’s word, cannot and will not submit to God’s law, but when it is washed with the word of God, it becomes sanctified and submitted to Him. Welcome God’s word into your heart.

My son, do not think lightly or scorn to submit to the correction and discipline of the Lord, nor lose courage and give up and faint when you are reproved or corrected by Him; 6 For the Lord corrects and disciplines everyone whom He loves, and He punishes, even scourges, every son whom He accepts and welcomes to His heart and cherishes. 7 You must submit to and endure [correction] for discipline; God is dealing with you as with sons. Hebrews 12:5b-7 AMP

Submit to correction and discipline from your Father God. He loves you and the fruit of a disciplined life is the peaceable fruit of righteousness!

Resist the devil and he will flee from you:

Nor give place to the devil. Ephesians 4:27 NKJV

You give place to the devil through sin, disobedience and pride. Don’t allow the devil into your life and don’t allow sin, disobedience, or pride either. Ephesians 2:2 says that he is the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience.

Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. 8 He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:7-8 NKJV

For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil!

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV

Be aware, be awake, be steadfast in faith and resist the devil!

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:10-12 NKJV

We can’t fight the devil in our own strength, but we can defeat him with the weapons of our warfare: Truth, Righteousness, the Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation, the Word of God, Persevering Prayer, and most of all, the Name of Jesus!

Submit to God and resist the devil!