A Word from James: Resist

by Marilynn Chadwick

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7 NIV)

Learning how to resist the devil is the key to victory in spiritual warfare. God's Word is fundamental in our fight. It’s also crucial to pray. But James reminds us that we can't beat the devil unless we resist.  

To resist is "to exert force in opposition." Spiritual victory requires spiritual muscles. James coaches us to take a forceful stand against the devil’s temptation, while also asserting our wills to obey God. Nowhere is this twin command clearer than in today's verses: “So place yourselves under God’s authority. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you” (James 4:7 GOD'S WORD Translation).

The Bible reveals the spiritual nature of our battle. We're told to be alert to the devil's schemes and take up our weapons of war. James points out we can't resist the devil without first submitting our wills to God.

I especially like the God’s Word (GW) translation of this verse: "So place yourselves under God's authority." Authority is not a popular word today. But you can't experience the power of God's Word in battle and wield its authority unless you're also under its authority.

Victory in our spiritual battles is directly related to submission to God's authority. This, in turn, builds resistance—our spiritual strength against the devil. Much like strengthening the body’s resistance to disease.

Spiritual battles are won before the moment of temptation. When I spend time in God's Word. When I’m faithful in prayer. And when I’m attentive to "temple upkeep," or the care of my body and mind, I am also strengthening my resistance.

Physical resistance training involves pushing against a source of resistance, such as a weight, to increase one's strength. Spiritual resistance is the same. Spend time today meditating on the simple but powerful truth in James.

Are you willing to place yourself under God's authority? Think of some steps you can take to build your spiritual resistance. And when the daily temptations come, remember to "exert force in opposition." God's promise is clear. If you do this, the devil will eventually flee from you. You may discover that the very attack that was designed to bring you down has actually made you stronger.

Lord, I am challenged to be alert to the devil's schemes. Help me remember that victory is won before the moment of trial. I submit to your Word and commit to build my resistance on a daily basis. Above all, I trust you for the victory.

A Word from James: Slander

by Marilynn Chadwick

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another…who are you to judge your neighbor? (James 4:11,12 NIV)

Slander. It’s an ugly word. Slander, or defamation of character, used to be considered a crime. Nowadays, it’s more like a contact sport. Runaway slander fuels reality shows, tabloids, and especially social media. 

James gives us a hard-hitting warning about the dangers of slander. If we find gossip enticing, then we’d better pause. Old "camel knees," is sure to step on our toes in today's verses:

“Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?” (James 4:11,12 NLT).

The New Living Translation of the word “slander” is straightforward: "Don't speak evil against." Slander, katalaleo, comes from two Greek words: kata, "against," and laleo, or "speak." There's an innate hostility in the word “slander.”  

So why aren't we more careful about the use of our tongue? Sometimes I catch myself speaking ill of someone under the guise of "processing a problem." Or maybe I share a morsel of gossip "for prayer." Ugh. Am I the only one who struggles with this sin?

James speaks strongly against slander. Imagine how it makes the Lord feel to hear his children speaking evil about each other. Slander is one of the devil's favorite tools to divide the Body of Christ. Especially since his scheme catches most of us unaware.

Lord, I need a wake-up call. Alert me to the dangers of slander. James won't let the subject rest. Neither do you. Make me uncomfortable with slander so that I won't speak or listen to harmful words. Help me realize that slander breaks your heart. Let it also break mine.

A Word from James: Want

by Marilynn Chadwick

You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. (James 4:2 NLT)

"But Mommy, all I want is what I want when I want it," came the whine from three-year-old Molly. The story brings a chuckle every time her mother retells it. But aren't we all a bit like Molly? All we want is what we want when we want it. What's so bad about that?

James challenges this inborn propensity toward selfishness. Our fights and quarrels have wants, or "desires," as their root, he says. The word here for desire is hedone from which we get "hedonism." The meaning is simple: "Pleasure, desire, enjoyment."

Pleasure and enjoyment are not wrong. But when we "don't get what we want when we want it," what’s our response? James probes our heart. Do we pout? Inwardly stomp our feet. Throw a temper tantrum. Harbor jealousy. Quarrel and fight?

James gives us a heart check. What’s at the root of these wrong responses? The first culprit he mentions may surprise you: A lack of prayer. More specifically, the lack of prayer with a surrendered heart.

“You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure” (James 4:2,3).

He calls out our motives, making us squirm a little more. Why do we want what we want in the first place? Is this something God would want to give us? If so, are we willing to pray—and then to wait for his timing?

I sometimes refer to this delay as "wait training." It seems to be one of God's favorite methods for purifying our wants. The Lord desires for us to learn how to wait in faith, with a trusting and thankful heart.

In our consumer-crazy culture, our "wants" can sometimes run wild. So, let's pause and reflect:

Lord, all good gifts come from you. You delight to bless your children. But I confess that sometimes my wants run ahead of your perfect will. Slow me down, Lord. Let me examine my wants in the light of your Word. Remind me to ask you for what I want. Give me a willing heart to wait for your answer in your time. Above all, turn my eyes outward. While I wait, make me more sensitive to the wants of others… for truly, giving is your secret weapon against the “I want what I want when I want it” syndrome.