When Yeshua told His disciples to take up their cross and follow Him, He also said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” Is our love of the world getting in the way of following Him? Let’s look at what James said.
James chapter four is a warning against worldliness.
“You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us”? 6 But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.”
– James 4:3-10
These are just more examples of coming to God with sorrow because of our sins. James tells us to humble ourselves, submit ourselves to God, and draw near to God. He says to be wretched, mourn, and weep. It’s the same theme of sorrow leading to repentance. But James adds something else in verse seven. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” We have the power to resist his temptations. The Messiah is our example. He resisted every temptation given Him, and He did it with Scripture.
Lord, help us to know Your Word so we can resist the devil. Amen.
Feel free to read through Psalm 27 again today.
Shalom.
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