Page 46 - book_james

Lord has not made provision and a way of escape for. Grace not only comes to us at the
new birth, but also from that time on in the form of “more grace” (Romans 8:32).

The next Scripture quoted in this verse comes from Proverbs 3:34: “God resists (declares
war on) the proud (arrogant). . . “ Pride is an area of the flesh that comes from lust. Pride
is self‐sufficiency on man’s part, which has always been resisted by God.

“But giveth grace to the humble.” This is the “more grace” of James. The humble person
realizes his weakness and insufficiency and leans on the Lord for strength. He is not afraid
to receive anything from the Lord, but gives all the credit to Him. The word “proud” stresses
the character rather than the identity of those whom God resists. This is the Christian who
feels he is above those around him, even God; he regards himself as the standard, and
everyone else falls short. God “resists” these people. The Hebrew for this word shows God
in battle array, declaring war against the arrogant.

2. An Exhortation to the Worldly (7‐12)

James continues by explaining the benefits of submitting and drawing near to God and
resisting the devil and turning from sin and doublemindedness. He warns them against
judging and being critical of one another since they are all part of God’s family. In addition,
James explained that there is only one lawgiver and judge ‐‐ the Lord Jesus Christ.

A. The Call to Return to God

Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Submit (upotasso: place under authority) yourselves therefore to God. . . . .

This is a two‐sided coin. One side tells us what to turn to and the other side what to turn
from. Submission to God is not something God does, but something the believer does. We
are responsible to submit ourselves, and then God is responsible to exalt us (Philippians
2:8‐9; 1 Peter 5:6).

The strength to resist the devil comes from submission to God. Submission to God is
submission to His Word and the leading of the Holy Spirit. His Word gives us the same
authority and power over Satan as Jesus had in the wilderness. “It is written” is the most
powerful weapon we have against the devil and his devices. This is the “sword of the Spirit,”
the “word (rhema: spoken word of God) of God.”

. . . Resist (antistete: stand in opposition to) the devil and he will flee from you.

The enemy fleeing is the end result of standing on the Word. When we resist the devil, he
will not just leave, he will flee! This is the authority of the church over the tactics of Satan.
Our victory over Satan is assured by the Lord’s victory over him (John 14:12).

Jas 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners;
and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
Draw nigh (enggisate: to draw near, worship) to God, and he will draw nigh to you. . . . .