Resist the Devil and He Will Run Far Away
(James 4)
James, a leader of the early church, wrote a letter to believers scattered far from home. He had heard about their problems, and his words were direct and loving. He asked them a hard question: "What causes fights and quarrels among you?" He already knew the answer. The fighting came from inside them. Their own selfish desires were like soldiers at war within their hearts. They wanted things they could not have, so they fought to get them. They craved what others had, and that craving led to arguments and even hatred.
James told them they were asking God for things, but they were asking with wrong motives. They only wanted to spend what they got on their own pleasures. They were like people who wanted to be friends with the world, but James warned them that friendship with the world means being an enemy of God. He called them "adulterous people" because they had turned away from their faithful God, just like an unfaithful spouse. But then James gave them a beautiful promise: God gives more grace. He quoted an old saying from the Proverbs: "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble."
So James gave them a clear path forward. He said, "Submit yourselves, then, to God." That means to line up under God's authority, like a soldier obeying a commander. Then he said, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The devil is real, but he is not stronger than God. When we stand firm against him, he runs away. James also said, "Come near to God and he will come near to you." What a wonderful invitation. He told them to wash their hands and purify their hearts, to stop being double-minded, torn between God and the world. He even told them to grieve and mourn over their sin, to change their laughter to mourning and their joy to gloom. That sounds sad, but it is the kind of sorrow that leads to real change. Then he said, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."
James also warned them not to slander or judge one another. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, and that is God. We are not the judge of our neighbor. He also told them not to boast about tomorrow. Life is like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead of making big plans without God, we should say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." And finally, he gave a simple but powerful rule: "If anyone knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." James wanted his readers to live with humble hearts, depending on God for everything and loving each other well.
A Curious Question
Why do you think James says our fights come from the desires that battle inside us, like two armies fighting over the same treasure, and how can we stop that battle before it starts?
Old Testament Connection
James knew his Old Testament well. When he said "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble," he was quoting Proverbs 3:34. That proverb was written by King Solomon, who asked God for wisdom and received it. James also called his readers "adulterous people," which reminds us of the prophet Hosea. In Hosea, God's people had turned away from Him like an unfaithful spouse, but God still loved them and promised to bring them back. James used these Old Testament pictures to show that God has always wanted His people to be faithful, humble, and dependent on Him, not on their own desires or the world's ways.
Discussion Questions
1. What are some selfish desires that can cause fights between friends or siblings?
2. James says we should submit to God and resist the devil. What does it look like to submit to God in your everyday life?
3. Why is it wrong to boast about what we will do tomorrow, and how can we remember to say "if the Lord wills" when we make plans?
"So What?" What Can I Do?
- Check Your Heart: When you feel angry or want to argue, ask yourself: "Is this coming from a selfish desire?" Take a breath and pray before you speak.
- Submit and Resist: Each morning, tell God, "I submit to You today." When you are tempted to do wrong, say, "I resist the devil in Jesus' name," and trust that he will flee.
- Make Plans with God: When you think about your future, add "if the Lord wills" to your plans. Remember that your life is like a mist, so live each day for God.
Memorize God's Word
James 4:7: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
- Submit yourselves, then, to God bow your head and fold your hands as if you are placing yourself under God's authority.
- Resist the devil make a strong fist and push it forward as if you are pushing an enemy away.
- and he will flee from you make a shooing motion with both hands, like you are scaring away a bird.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, we admit that sometimes our selfish desires cause fights and arguments. Help us to submit to You and to resist the devil. Draw us near to You, and wash our hearts clean. Teach us to be humble and to trust You with all our plans. In Jesus' name, amen.
Craft or Activity
Submit and Resist Shield
Children will create a two-sided shield to remind them to submit to God and resist the devil. On one side they will write "Submit to God" and on the other side "Resist the Devil - He Will Flee."
Materials Checklist:
- Cut a large shield shape out of cardboard or heavy paper.
- On one side, write in big letters: "Submit to God" and decorate with crosses or stars.
- On the other side, write: "Resist the Devil - He Will Flee" and draw flames or a sword to show victory.
- If you like, glue foil or shiny paper around the edges to make it look like a real shield.
- Hold up your shield and practice saying James 4:7. Use the side that says "Submit to God" when you pray, and the other side when you face temptation.
Effective Teaching Techniques
For Younger Children: Focus on the two main actions: submit to God and resist the devil. Use simple hand motions for each phrase of the memory verse. Let them color a picture of a shield.
Prep Shortcut: Pre-cut the shield shapes so children can spend more time decorating and memorizing the verse. Have extra markers and glue ready.
Classroom Management: When children start to argue during the craft, pause and ask, "What does James say about fights?" Remind them to submit to God and ask for help.
For Older Kids: Challenge them to think of a specific situation where they need to submit to God this week. Have them write it on the back of their shield and pray about it together.