Resist

<<oppose, stand against>>

The Bible says resist Satan, and keep your eyes focused on Jesus the source of the power to resist all his devious attacks, so you don’t fall from that secure place in Christ and be tripped up by sin (Jn 10:29; Heb 12:2; Jas 4:7; 1 Pet 5:9; 2 Pet 3:17). As believers we should be utilizing the resources Jesus made available through His victory over Satan at the cross and our subsequent postion in Him. The Bible states, greater is God's Spirit who is in us than any of Satan's forces that try to gain the advantage over us (Eph 4:27; 1 Pet 5:8; 1 Jn 4:4). Joseph had already decided not to yield to temptation and stood firm in his conviction (Gen 39:7-10).

A carnal person resists God, yet gives in and embraces evil, whereas a righteous person submits and surrenders to God while turning away from wrong. “The people who know their God will firmly resist him [Satan]” recognizes the need to have a strong relationship

Say ‘No’ to Satan, ‘Yes’ to God

with God and rely on His enabling to be victorious over the enemy’s attacks (Dan 11:32). We must make deliberate choices to resist what is of the world besides choosing to walk in the ways of God. The choices we make have major ramifications, so don’t give in to the enticement of sin as consequences are long lived (Prov 1:10).

God said, “My Spirit will not always put up with man resisting me” so don’t stifle or smoother the Holy Spirit’s work or resist when you hear God’s word (Gen 6:3; Act 7:51; 1 Thes 5:19; Heb 3:7,8,15). To be blessed we must hear and act on what God says, otherwise we experience disastrous consequences, so respond when the Holy Spirit convicts, or your Christian life will not progress until the matter is dealt with (Mt 7:24-27; Jas 1:22). After all, God resists or sets Himself against those who are proud, yet gives grace to those who are humble and submit to His leading (1 Pet 5:5).

Although Satan is ultimately behind the tempting, it is our fallen and corrupted human nature that allows these temptations to take root and causes us to act on them (Jas 1:15). But it is the power of the Holy Spirit who resides in our hearts that enables us to free ourselves from the sin and temptations we struggle with in our daily lives for as we “live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (1 Cor 6:19; Gal 5:16).

The Word of God is our best defense against Satan’s temptations, with the psalmist saying, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you” (Ps 119:11). When Christ was tempted by Satan in the desert, He quoted Scripture which eventually caused the devil to leave Him (Mt 4:4-10).

Do I love God more than sin?

Prayer can also help us resist temptation. Jesus said, "Pray so that you will not fall into temptation” as our flesh that can be very weak at times (Mk 14:38). If we do succomb to temptation God will forgive when we confess our sin (1 Jn 1:9). We are instructed to put on the full spiritual armour (Eph 6:13-18). Besides these spiritual tools we need to use our common sense and not place ourselves in situations that prey upon, or take advantage of our weaknesses. Satan, the tempter will present unlimited rationalizations to justify sinful behaviour. Remember his aim is always "to steal, kill and destroy" (Jn 10:10). Don’t allow your body to become an instrument of unrighteousness for we are no longer slaves to sin (Rom 6:6,7,13).

God will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to resist (1 Cor 10:13). Because Satan is devious and more powerful than us, we are not able to stand against him alone, we need to team up with the divine resources besides making wise choices, being disciplined, praying, having witnesses or those who hold us accountable and the confession of our mouths (Prov 4:14; Lk 22:40; Heb 12:1; Rev 12:11).