Today’s reading is James 4.
Sometimes the answer we need to hear to our seemingly deep questions is just that simple. When writing to folks who are struggling with their speech, bearing the wrong fruit, full of fighting and quarrels, James provides the prescription: 1) Draw near to God and 2) Resist the devil.
The fact is too many of us only want enough God to get into heaven in the end while we hang on to enough devil to have a good time here on earth. We can spiritualize our state by saying we are being saved by grace and not our own works, but God is not fooled. We only want Him for the supposed eternity of pleasure waiting in the wings. We proclaim our lingering in sin is a praise of His saving grace. But even Paul said we must not linger in sin that grace may abound.
The devil, through the wiles of the world, wants to anchor us in worldly passions. Too often, we are complicit. God’s promise, however, is clear. If we resist the devil, he will flee from us. If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. As Jesus said, if we ask, we will receive; if we seek, we will find; if we knock, God will open the door to us.
Are you sinning? Cleanse your hands. Are you double-minded? Purify your heart. Are your sins just so much fun that you laugh and rejoice in them? Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Get your head on straight. Don’t judge by the world’s wisdom, judge by God’s. Humble yourself before God, and He will exalt you.
Understand this. When you are drawing near the world and the devil, you are resisting God. If you continue to do so, eventually God will leave you in your desires and pursuits. You will fade away in the midst of them like the flower of the grass under the scorching heat of the sun. But if you draw near to God, He will envelope you with His grace and might. The devil will flee, not because your resistance is so strong, but because the God to whom you are drawing near is so strong. The devil can beat you. He can’t beat God.
Resist the devil. Draw near to God. Victory and exaltation will come.
Tomorrow’s reading is James 4.
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Discuss the Following Questions with Your Family
- What are your initial reactions to the chapter and the written devo above?
- How can we resist the devil?
- How can we draw near to God?
- How do we humble ourselves before God?
- What do you think we should pray for and about in light of this chapter and today’s post?
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