“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7
After Jesus had been baptized and God spoke in an audible voice saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” He was immediately driven into the wilderness where he was tempted of the devil. I always imagined Jesus standing talking to the devil, seeing him face to face. However, when the enemy comes to us, tempting us the same way, we normally don’t see him with our eyes. The conversation usually comes in the form of contrary thoughts. In watching how Jesus handles this, we can learn how we too can resist the devil and have him flee from us.
When the enemy comes against us, trying to tempt us to give up on our dreams, or to act in a way contrary to the word, we need to recognize how he does this and what weapons we have to use against him. He generally will use a two-pronged approach – circumstances combined with thoughts. He will bring contrary circumstances against us, and then shoot thoughts to our minds trying to get us to accept and believe those thoughts as our own and as true.
The devil is always trying to take us off course. He will shoot thoughts to people’s minds and them condemn them for having the thoughts.
Therefore our first weapon is discernment. It is critical that we are able to recognize what thoughts are of God, vs. what thoughts are from the devil. We do this by noticing when thoughts are coming into our minds that are contrary to scripture. Therefore, that means it is important to know what God’s word says. The enemy knows that if he can get us to think on certain thoughts long enough, those thoughts turn into emotions. Once we are operating emotionally it is more difficult to have the discipline to do what is right. However, the good news is, that we have weapons against this warfare. God has well equipped us for this battle and we have the victory through Christ! Even when our emotions kick in, we still have the GREATER ONE on the inside of us and He is greater than the one in the world, so we WIN!
Now that we recognize a thought as contrary to the word of God, we take up our next weapon which is: to cast the thought down.
In 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 it says: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;”
Next, we do as Jesus did when he was tempted. With each attack of the enemy, Jesus responded with scripture: “It is written”. He picked up His sword (the word of God) and hit the devil with it. When we are having a battle of the mind over any of the circumstances in our lives, being tempted to give up on our confession of faith, or do something contrary to God’s word, simply do what Jesus did and hit the devil with the word of God! As Jesus continued to do this, the devil eventually had to flee from Him. The same happens with us. We just keep hitting the devil with the promises of God and he will flee. This is how we resist him: By the word of God.
We then make sure to replace the wrong thoughts with God thoughts. As Phillipians 4:8 says: “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”
Finally, do not fear. Cast it over onto God, trusting and knowing He will bring you through. Don’t worry if your feelings go contrary. We don’t go by how we feel, we go by the word of God. As we continue to speak God’s word, our feelings will eventually line up with God’s Will. Therefore, Praise God.
2 Corinthians 2:14 says: “Now thanks be unto God, which ALWAYS causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.” So get your Praise On! Praise and worship God thanking Him for the victory!
To sum up:
Recognize when thoughts come to your mind that are not your own. Discern whether the thoughts line up with the word of God or not. If they do not, then immediately cast them down. Do not get into self condemnation about it. Just trust and know you have the victory through Christ!
- Pick up your sword of the spirit and speak the word of God ONLY. Say “Not so Devil, God says ….” Don’t’ try to fight thoughts only with thoughts. It is important you actually speak out the word of God when engaged in battle.
- Replace the thoughts with God thoughts.
- Do not fear! Just Trust God. Have faith that you have won the battle and Praise God for the Victory!
1 Corinthians 10:13
“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
This is our way of escape. We Hold fast to God’s word, having bold un-waivering faith that what God has promised, He is well able to perform. He will not fail you. He will not forsake you. Whatever trial you are facing, even if it took you by surprise, it didn’t take God by surprise. Trust in His Grace, His Love and His POWER in your life!
Romans 4:20-21
“He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.”
Deuteronomy 31:8
“And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”
Hebrews 13:5b-6
“…for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper; and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
Isaiah 43:1b-2
“…Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee, when thou walkest through the fire; thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.”
Isaiah 41:10
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God; I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Isaiah 41:13
“For I the LORD Thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
Isaiah 65:23-24
“They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”
1 John 4:4
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
