Resisting the devil
Focus: James 4:7-8 - KJV
7. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Mark 16:17-18
Ability to resist the devil or cast out devils is a sure sign of the believer. No one is able to cast out devils unless he/she truly believes in the power of God and has the Holy Spirit working with him. However, no one is able to do any of these things unless he/she is humble before God and closer to Him. It is the light of the presence of God which the same carries that aids his being able to cast out the devil effectively. Submission to God is simply to live in absolute obedience to Him. It is a way to draw nearer to Him aside from praising and praying. When we draw near to God, the one who sits in heaven and makes the earth His footstool, takes us over immediately with just one stride in reciprocity. When He does, no darkness is able to withstand our presence. Many do assume resisting the devil is available to all. Not so! The sons of Scervas listened to Paul preach; heard him cast out devils successfully, and believed what they heard and saw. But when push came to shove and it was their turn to cast devils out, they were mesmerized by darkness. The explanation for that is found in the fact that to truly believe, we must lay aside every filth we bear and make our hearts pure to be able to ascend the hills of the Lord. The sons of Scervas were lacking in this. But are you also?
Beloved, those torments you have been experiencing may be the results of the activities of devils. You can be free from them today if you will truly submit to God. You can draw near Him now by laying aside every filth associated with your life and being; keeping your mind and thoughts absolutely pure and having unflinching faith in God and His word.
SOLUTION: Shed the filth in your hands and cleanse your heart of every uncanny thing hidden there. Then confess to God that He is the only one you know. He will reciprocate before long.
The one who caused Isaiah to be purified will purify you spirit, soul and body today in Jesus’ name. He will make the light of His countenance to be around and about you in Jesus’ name. From now on, devils will flee at your appearing in the name of Jesus. God bless you.