More than Conquerors

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.” (James 4:7-8a)

I have heard the last half of verse seven quoted by itself with instruction to the listener to just stand firm against the devil and you will be victorious. The problem with taking that portion of verse seven without that which comes before and that which comes after, one is left to fight the devil in one’s own strength.

Michael the archangel was contending with the devil over the body of Moses. Knowing he was no match for the devil, Michael turned the fight over to the Lord. (Jude 1:9) If Michael the chief angel was no match against the devil then certainly you and I have no business getting into the ring with him.

We must first submit ourselves to God as verse seven instructs. We must also draw near to God and He will draw near to us. Too many folks have gotten into the ring with the devil and without Jesus in their corner they have thrown in the towel in defeat.

The Bible tells us that we are more than conquerors through Jesus. (Romans 8:37)