I don't know that there are too many things more misunderstood among the body of Christ then the role the devil plays. I feel at times we become the church of the devil rather than Christ because we spend more time focused on him than Jesus.
James writes 4:7......"Resist the devil and he will flee from you."
When James chose to use the word we translate as "resist". our english doesn't quite capture the meaning. He is saying, Stand against his attacks on your thoughts with everything you have, believing God's Word above every lie and temptation. We are to defy the operation of the devil at every level. It is implied that as we dig in our heels and choose to believe the Lord we drive the devil back out of our lives.
The word used here for devil basically is a description more than a name. It means one who continues to chip away. Like someone using a hammer and chisel to break through a wall. That is the way he works, continually chipping away until we resist or give in.
James writes if we do this the enemy will "flee" which is to run away like a criminal who breaks the law is running from punishment. You see the devil is afraid that if a believer really stands, the devil himself will be forced to bow to the power of God and in His word in the believer so he runs before being trapped.
God's word is powerful. A person who believes in God's Word and love of God having real relationship with God is the greatest fear of the enemy.
Start realizing who Christ is in you. Drive back the devil, don't allow him to chip away at you, cause him to fear Christ in you!
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