Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (NIV)

Submission can be a powerful tool in spiritual battles, as it places us under the authority and protection of God. By submitting to God, a believer acknowledges His sovereignty and relies on His strength rather than their own. This act of trust fortifies the believer against the devil's schemes as God loves humility. In the verse just before this one, James cites Scripture from Proverbs 3:34: “God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.”  Luke echoes this verse when he writes “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 14:11). Our motivation for humility should not be to be exalted, but it is a blessing that comes along with it.  

‍

In our verse for today, James emphasizes the dual action of submission and resistance. When believers submit to God, they align themselves with His will and draw upon His power to resist the devil. This resistance, empowered by divine strength, causes the devil to flee. Thus, submission is not a sign of weakness, but a strategic positioning under God's mighty hand, equipping believers to stand firm and victorious in the face of spiritual warfare. The enemy knows that he is in a losing battle, but do you? The enemy will use tactics such as fear, intimidation, and threats to get us to shrink back and crumble, but even demons know the name of Jesus and shudder, as James 2:19 tells us. We must understand the authority that we have in Christ to defeat the enemy. One of the most powerful weapons that we have is spiritual armor (see Eph. 6:10-17), so that we can take our stand against the enemy’s schemes.  

One definition of submission is to accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person. Some may have difficulty with this word or with the action of submitting their will to another.  After all, we as Americans (and especially Alaskans) tend to value our independence. However, this is what we are called to do as Christians. Regardless of how we may feel in our flesh, submitting to God’s ultimate authority is the safest place for us to be. As the psalmist writes, Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91:1).  

‍

Embracing submission is not about losing oneself; rather, it is about entrusting oneself to God's wisdom, knowing that His plans are far greater than our own. This submission brings peace and security as we rest in the knowledge that God is in control. In our relationships, submission can foster unity and harmony. It requires humility and the willingness to prioritize others' needs and perspectives, reflecting the love and selflessness of Christ. Philippians 2:3-4 encourages us to “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” This attitude can transform our interactions, making them more compassionate and understanding.

‍

Practicing submission daily ensures that we are attuned to God's voice and direction. It helps us cultivate a heart that is responsive to His leading and open to His blessings. As we submit and resist, we become more resilient in our spiritual battles and more confident in our walk with God. When was the last time you submitted your will to God’s, or even your will to another’s? It may be easier to submit when someone has authority over you, such as your boss. But perhaps there’s a co-worker who has a different approach to doing something than you do, but it would be just as effective. Would you be willing to take a chance on their idea? I challenge you to not only practice submission to God, but also submission to one another. This may actually make it easier to submit to God.  

Father, please help us to humbly submit to you so that we can withstand the schemes of the enemy. Help us also to submit to one another as you call us to do. Amen.