James 4:7–10 Therefore, submit to God. But resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, double-minded people! 9Be miserable and mourn and weep. Your laughter must change to mourning and your joy to sorrow. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
I. How do we resist the devil? v 7
A. Resisting starts with submission to God.
1. Submit: Military word “to get into your proper rank.”
2. We need to know who our commander is.
B. The devil fears obedient believers.
1. We need to know who our enemy is.
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded, be alert. Your adversary the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.
2. How do we fight the devil?
a. Submit to God.
b. Resist the devil.
II. How do we draw near to God? v 8
A. This is the OT idea of coming into the Temple.
1. We are to “resist the devil” but cling to God.
a. Salvation is by grace alone.
b. Sanctification is God’s continued work in us.
2. When we “draw near to God, He draws near to us.”
a. God will not turn us away.
b. God will hold tightly too us.
B. We are to “Cleanse your hands…and purify your hearts.”
1. Our “hands” refers to our sins in the physical world. v 8
2. Our “hearts” refers to where sin begins. v 8
3. We must first “draw near to God” to have our hearts “purified.” v 8
III. Does God want you to be “miserable”? v 9–10
A. God wants us to grieve over our sin.
B. God desires for us to be humble.
Application:
1. How tightly are you clinging to Christ?
2. How hard are you fighting the devil?
3. Are you willing to submit fully to Christ?
