"But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you," JAM 4:6-7.

Pride is one of the three most common temptations the devil uses against mankind. 1JO 2:16 says, "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." Satan's central objective is to separate us from our God. He knows that these three sins are most offensive.

Our text says, "But he giveth more grace." By God's grace we can be delivered from the power of these heinous sins and resist the devil. The proud war against the resistance of God, but He "giveth grace unto the humble." The approaches of Satan's temptation unto lust or pride are most often gradual. He contrives a temptation that asks us to yield but a trifle, promising ourselves we will not allow this to get out of hand.

However, notice the central theme of our text! We cannot resist the devil in our own strength, "Submit yourselves therefore to God," not unto the devil's crafty devises. Resisting the devil, that he might "flee from you," is a Divine command! Therefore it is our first duty to examine every motive to determine its source.

Some may say, "I wish to submit unto God, and resist the devil, but I know not how to recognize Satan's devices. Therefore it is our constant duty to beg for discerning grace. Our Saviour said in MAT 24:24, "...there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

Even as necessary as prayer is, we may not rest there. See what we read about Joshua in JOS 7:6 "And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of the LORD until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads.

Joshua seemingly humbled himself in submission unto God, he pleaded with the Lord "until the eventide," but what did the Lord tell Joshua? "Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face?...Israel hath sinned..." they had fallen a prey to the lust of the flesh! JOS 7:10-12.

Our text places "Submit yourselves therefore to God," ahead of "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." Joshua and all Israel could not prosper in God's favor until they had put sin out of the camp. Oh, what an earnest warning this is to you and I! Achan brought God's displeasure upon the whole congregation when he disobeyed His commandment. Achan had not submitted himself unto the Lord-- nor had he resisted the devil! Therefore, the Lord would not be entreated of Israel--or even of His beloved servant Joshua, until this sin was put out of the camp. Even as important as prayer is--we cannot pray for a blessing upon our labors--and then lie idle all the day. When we pray for wisdom to discern Satan's devises, we must also search our own hearts for areas in which we must resist sin.

That is not to say we must jump into the pit on the other side of the road-- and live in bondage of slavish fear. PHI 4:6-7 says, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."

This word "careful" comes from the Greek word "merimnao [mer-im-nah'-o]" which means, "to be anxious, to be troubled with cares." Therefore, be anxious--or troubled over nothing, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

It is most important that all our prayerful watching, and resisting of the devil must be illuminated with the Scriptures, i.e., in submission unto God and His Word. We must become very familiar with the Word of God that we may use it as the Sword of the Spirit to ward off Satan and all his devises.

See what the Lord commanded Joshua to prepare him to lead His people into the promised land. "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success," JOS 1:8.

Our Saviour's example in the hour of temptation teaches us that there is nothing that will drive Satan away quicker than the Word. In LUK 4:3-4 we read, "And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread. And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God." Amen.

Yield not to temptation, for yielding is sin;
Each vict'ry will help you some other to win.
Fight manfully onward; dark passions subdue;
Look ever to Jesus, He will carry you through.