James 4:7-8

James 4:7-8 – Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands you sinners and purify your hearts you double-minded.

In this passage we are given specific instructions. Each are actions for us to do that are followed by the action of another. First we see submission. “Submit yourselves, then, to God.” This is the only one that is not immediately followed by a by a corresponding action, but the other two cannot happen without us first submitting to God. We must let go of our pride and submit to what God has for us.

Next we see we are supposed to resist. Once we are submitted to God all we have to do is resist the devil. He has already been defeated, but he is looking for you to give him opportunity. You don’t have to give it to him. It starts with your act of resisting and ends with the devil fleeing. When you are submitted to God and you stand against the devils lies he know he can’t touch, so he flees.

After that we see another action. This time it is the act of drawing near to God. This action is also directly followed by the action of another. When we draw near to God He will draw near to us. That is a promise. Once we make the decision and take the first step, He does the rest. You turn to Him and He meets you where you are at.

So I repeat: submit to God, resist the devil and draw near to God. One small act of faith on our part results in a great act of Love on God’s part. He wants you close to Him, but asks that you take the first step, then He will do the rest.