God does resist, and He does give. James explains the two things about the Lord right here.
First of all, He does resist, which means to oppose......so, it is that God sets Himself against the proud, or those who set themselves above others.
Secondly, we are told that God gives grace to the humble. Grace is the undeserved, unmerited favor of God, which He gives to the person who is lowly. This is the opposite of being proud, or elevated in your own mind above others, here, to be humble is to be lowly in your own mind. Which is of course the more accurate way to look at ourselves.
In light of the above truths about God, James uses that familiar word, "therefore", or because of, or in light of, or this is what to do now, and that is to submit to God, to come under Him, to yield your life to Him. He also adds to resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
How interesting that if we resist God through pride, He will resist us, but if we give ourselves to Him, we are able to receive from Him. And, if we resist Satan, he will flee, or go away from us. Two different experiences with the Lord and the devil.
To submit then, is place or rank under, and it means to obey. Put yourself in subjection to God is what he is saying. Be submissive to God. Be subjecting yourself to God.
Back to the devil for a moment. How do you resist him? Good question. Here's what Jesus did, and I believe this is our best example and model to follow. When Satan was attacking Jesus in Matt 4, at every turn, Jesus responded with the Word of God. Jesus stayed with the Word, and rejected the words and ideas and suggestions of the devil.
And, that's how we can resist the devil also. Just stay in the Word of God.
1Jo 2:13* I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.
O Lord. Thank You for making Yourself known to us, and helping us to understand who You are, and what Your ways are towards man. Thank You for being gracious.
And, thank You for the power of Your Word as we stand against the devil and his demons. In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia
Application/Promise.
1. It's better to be humble then proud.
2. We can change and turn to God.
3. Submission to God is a very good thing.
4. Being proud, means God will resist us.
5. God gives, or bestows His grace to the humble.
6. Question, where am I at today?
7. Proud, or humble?
