Submission
James 4:7-10
The way to resist the devil does not lie in us. The only cure is submitting to Christ (I Peter 5:7-9). Christ has purged the sin of his people leaving the devil nothing by which his redeemed may be charged (Hebrews 2:14-15). Christ Jesus our Mediator intercedes for us before the Father and comforts us through the Holy Spirit. He gives us boldness as he causes us to remember our body is washed and our conscience purged from dead works to serve the living God (Hebrews 9:14; I Corinthians 6:9-11). If the faithful Father has turned your laughter to mourning and your joy to heaviness fight no more against him but turn from the defilement, set your mind on Christ Jesus above and draw near in full assurance of faith. He promises to give in abundance (James 1:5-7, 21; Hebrews 10:19-23). Be not a hearer only but a doer of this word. Lay aside the old man, receive the word with meekness, and rejoice as Christ performs this sure word of promise, "humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (James 4:10; James 1:21).