QTVOTD: Be Subject…

Day before Thanksgiving and will have a busy day. Also, today I need to finish my trimester self-performance review where I look back on what I accomplished at work, what I plan to do going forward, and development areas I have identified for myself. As a manager, I look forward to the task of filling the manager portion out for my employees. My time in prayer here just before this time reflecting on this one verse, I was overwhelmed with the gratitude I have for not only my Savior, but also for all that God has given me; in my health, my friends, my family, my job, and my home. I literally have nothing to complain about.

So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. James 4:7 [AMP]

One small verse today that packs soooooo much punch. The biggest takeaway from the verse is the ‘Order’.

  1. Be ‘Subject’ to God
  2. Resist the devil

Be SUBJECT to God

This really just another way of saying be humble and fear God. Whenever you see ‘fear God’ the type of fear that is being referenced is usually a fear of disappointment/disapproval. This whole passage starting here in verse 7 reflects back on Proverbs.

34 Though He [God] scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners, yet He gives His undeserved favor to the low [in rank], the humble, and the afflicted. Proverbs 3:34 [AMP]

God gives His grace (unmerited goodness and favor) to those who are humble. So, when I see this ‘Be Subject’ it is calling me to disown my self-sufficiency. To lean directly into the cloak of my Father in Heaven for all of my needs, comfort, worth, and safety. Here on the earth (under the sun), it is hard to do this with all of the distractions this world throws at us. The ruler of that world is…the devil. James says that when I am subject to God I then need to resist the devil.

Resist the devil

The devil is, above all, the ‘tempter’ (Matt. 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5), seeking always to separate God and human beings. We as Christians must resist this separation. When we do, James promises that the devil will flee from us. Whatever power satan may have, we can be absolutely certain that we have been given the ability to overcome that power.

Additionally, I think this being subject to God means that we are prayerfully living our life immersed in His Word to understand Him better. As we understand God better, His character and His commands, we can better identify the devil to resist him and the separation he sets out to achieve.

Application

Continue to be in God’s Word every day. Hide God’s Word in my heart and meditate on it throughout each day. Actively resist the devil. Be watchful and not lulled by the world’s opinion on eternal matters.

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