Dealing Decisively with the Devil

James 4:7-8, 10

A wise man once gave this warning, “If you don’t run into the devil when you get up in the morning, it means you’re going in the same direction with him.” This simple statement illustrates the daily struggle that we have with the forces of Satan. He wants to control us, corrupt us, and condemn us. James wrote that we must “draw near to God...” there must be a change in our approach. We must cleanse our hands…there must be a difference in our actions. Then we must purify our hearts…there must be a transformation of our affections. In fact, when we submit ourselves wholly and entirely to God, the devil doesn’t have a choice. He has to flee from us! And now we can live the exalted lives our Lord desires for us.