divineinsight: BY HUMPHREY MTANDWA When you look closely at an electric circuit board you find components whose purpose is to act as resistors to the flow of current. If there is no resistance within an electric circuit, it does not function properly. When you look at the word “resistance”, it’s the ability not to be affected by something especially adversely. The bible then says we are to resist the devil. But first before we resist the devil, we must be submitted to God.
You cannot resist the devil if you are not submitted to God. Resistors within an electrical circuit do not resist current flows of electricity by themselves, they work within others. For one to be able to resist the devil, they have to be anchored in God. So if ever you are to successfully resist the devil, you have to know how to submit to God.
As Christians, we focus on the part that says resist the devil and he will flee, but we forget to notice that the key is to first submit to God. So how does one submit to God in order to be enabled to resist the devil. Remember the sons of Sceva (Acts 19: 14-17) tried to cast out a demon and were beaten so much that they ran out of the house naked and wounded. They attempted to resist the devil when they were not submitted to God. Another example is when the house of Israel were defeated by the people of Ai (Joshua 7:2-5). They had just defeated Jericho and when they looked at Ai it seemed like winning that city would be a simple task. But what they did not know was that they were no longer submitted to God.
You cannot resist the devil if you are not submitted to God. The word submit is translated from the Greek word hupotasso. The word hupo means “put under” and the tasso means “being arranged”. This word is used commonly with military terms meaning to arrange troops under the leadership of another. So to submit is to arrange yourself under God so he can command you or instruct you. So the resistance of the Devil is not according to your own understanding nor your strength. So James 4:7 is saying arrange yourself under the leadership and authority of God and then use the plan God gives to you and the devil will flee.
What caused the children of Israel to have victory at Jericho was because they followed God’s plan. Looking at the plan as a military leader within the ranks of Israel did not make sense. But yet that is the plan that God gave them for their victory. The plans of God don’t make sense to the natural man. Imagine when Isreal was told to put worshipers in front.
It’s time to resist the devil over our families, work places, nations, and the world at large, but before we do that, are we arranged under the leadership of God? When you look at the world at the moment, you can see that the devil has been at work. There is so much happening that is negative and for us to break through these negative clouds, we have to be submitted to God. What’s God’s word for the nations and how can we submit to this word and enforce it on the world? Victory comes from submitting to God, but remember we are the foot soldiers. It is us who must enforce that word and cause the devil to flee. Let’s submit to God and enforce his will over the nations.
God bless you.
Humphrey Mtandwa is an anointed minister of the gospel and teacher of the Word based in South Africa. He has written several books including The Enoch Generation, Truthfulness and Theophany. He blogs at mtandwa.blogspot.com and can be contacted via e-mail or WhatsApp on +27 610286350.
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