Resist Satan’s Influence

Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
–James 4:7

The bad news: Satan is a formidable opponent, and he is ready to destroy you. Here is the good news: God has given you everything you need to defeat Satan’s plan for your life. Ephesian 6:13 says, “Take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.” Notice that word “resist”–a fourth way to keep Satan on the run is to resist his attempts to influence your life. The Bible says God has given you all the armor you need to resist the devil. Let’s remember those pieces of armor:

1. Belt of truth–When temptations come, the best thing you can do is confront those destructive thoughts with God’s truth. Do you have a plan to saturate your mind with Scripture? Why not redeem those spare moments when you are driving or exercising by listening to God’s Word? We need to saturate our minds with Scripture.
2. Breastplate of righteousness–“Righteousness” here means “obedience.” What is one thing in your life you know God wants you to you start doing? What is one thing you know God wants you to stop doing? Obedience protects you from the consequences of sin in your life.
3. Spiritual boots–Make God’s purpose your purpose. What is that purpose? Reaching as many people for Christ as possible. Are you continually looking for, praying for, and developing relationships with those who need to know Christ? When we make God’s purpose our purpose, it gives us a great incentive to say no to Satan.
4. Shield of faith–Faith is believing what God has said and acting accordingly. Is there an area of your life where you are having difficulty moving forward in obedience? Maybe you know what you are supposed to do, but you are not sure it is going to pay off. Faith means moving forward in obedience, knowing that God rewards those who diligently seek Him.
5. Helmet of salvation–When Christ saved you, he saved you not only from the penalty of sin, but from the power of sin. When you are in the heat of temptation, remember that you do not have to give in. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is working in our hearts to give us power over Satan’s influence in our life.
6. Sword of the spirit–When Jesus was being tempted by the enemy, He quoted Scripture–not for Satan’s benefit, but for His own benefit, to strengthen His resolve to say no to the evil one. Do you have God’s Word hidden in your heart so you that you will not sin against Him? Committing verses to memory will be a powerful defense against the evil one.

Today’s devotion is excerpted from “Using Your Divine Defense” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2011.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org