Word@Work James38 - James 4:7
Published: Thu, 04/02/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
THE POWER OF SUBMISSION
James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (NIV)
Submission is a difficult idea for many, because they think it means defeat. Certainly, when submission is forced, it is most humiliating: but when submission is a voluntary act of service, it is beautiful and strong. 'Submit' is derived from two Latin words that mean to 'put yourself under' somebody else: you choose to agree that a higher authority has the right to tell you what to do. This happens in every employment, agreeing to surgery and making marriage vows (where the submission should be a two-way matter - Eph 5:21).
Submitting to God is a choice. But it is not demeaning, because verse 6 says that 'God gives grace to the humble'. So, placing ourselves humbly under God's authority also enables us to receive mercy and grace. Because of His burning love towards us (cf James 4:5), He freely gives so much that we do not deserve and can never earn. Also, He gives us the authority and strength to resist the devil - because in submitting to God, you belong to Him and not to Satan. The Evil One has no right to order you about and at the Name of Jesus, he has to go.
No professional practice or business corporation can function if people do not choose to submit to their superiors (the problems usually come when people act independently). Those who submit to God should also choose to submit to their boss; it is the right thing to do, and a good witness to your Christian faith. And submit even if the boss is unfair (cf 1 Peter 2:18-19) ... the battles we face are not against horrible people but against spiritual wickedness (cf Eph 6:12). So we can resist Satan's temptations because we have submitted to God's authority: and Satan knows his authority is broken.
Prayer: Almighty God. Help me to be humble before Your great power and authority, so that I may submit myself to you afresh. Thank you that Your authority is far greater than Satan's, and as I come under Your command, I can resist the devil in Jesus' Name. For His glory's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
Submission is a difficult idea for many, because they think it means defeat. Certainly, when submission is forced, it is most humiliating: but when submission is a voluntary act of service, it is beautiful and strong. 'Submit' is derived from two Latin words that mean to 'put yourself under' somebody else: you choose to agree that a higher authority has the right to tell you what to do. This happens in every employment, agreeing to surgery and making marriage vows (where the submission should be a two-way matter - Eph 5:21).
Submitting to God is a choice. But it is not demeaning, because verse 6 says that 'God gives grace to the humble'. So, placing ourselves humbly under God's authority also enables us to receive mercy and grace. Because of His burning love towards us (cf James 4:5), He freely gives so much that we do not deserve and can never earn. Also, He gives us the authority and strength to resist the devil - because in submitting to God, you belong to Him and not to Satan. The Evil One has no right to order you about and at the Name of Jesus, he has to go.
No professional practice or business corporation can function if people do not choose to submit to their superiors (the problems usually come when people act independently). Those who submit to God should also choose to submit to their boss; it is the right thing to do, and a good witness to your Christian faith. And submit even if the boss is unfair (cf 1 Peter 2:18-19) ... the battles we face are not against horrible people but against spiritual wickedness (cf Eph 6:12). So we can resist Satan's temptations because we have submitted to God's authority: and Satan knows his authority is broken.
Prayer: Almighty God. Help me to be humble before Your great power and authority, so that I may submit myself to you afresh. Thank you that Your authority is far greater than Satan's, and as I come under Your command, I can resist the devil in Jesus' Name. For His glory's sake. Amen.
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