“Submit yourselves, therefore, to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 5:6
God’s goal for our lives as his children is to shape our character to be like that of our Lord Jesus Christ. So, living as a student-follower of Jesus Christ means that God is at work in all things to conform us to the image of his Son (Rom. 8:28-29)…including temptation. When we face temptation through faith we will become increasingly more like Jesus Christ as we partner with God’s work in our lives to shape our character.
Of course, Satan is at work to thwart God’s purpose. If the devil hasn’t been successful in preventing you from becoming a disciple, then he will do everything possible to keep you from becoming more like Jesus Christ. Satan does this by attacking your “flesh”—the influence of sin in your will, mind, emotions, and body. Cooperating with our selfishness, the enemy distorts God’s truth, promotes bitterness and anger, distracts our focus away from God, captures our minds, creates division in families, and undermines the work of the church. The devil is working overtime, and, too often we go along with his activity.
James 5:6 teaches us the secret of overcoming the devil’s work in two simple steps: submit and resist. The key to victory over temptation and to being shaped by testing is to submit to God. When in humility and brokenness we turn to God we experience the strength of the Holy Spirit in the midst of temptation. In turn..with the power of God’s presence…we can overcome the activity of the devil by resisting the devil. When we respond to temptation by submitting and resisting, God works to shape us to be more like Jesus. Our faith is strengthened, our wills learn submission, our hearts are changed, our minds are renewed, our character is formed, and our actions honor God through obedience.
You have a choice: rebel against God and his purpose or repent and turn to God in faith! Which do you choose?
On a Lenten Journey to the Cross,
Scott Corwin, Pastor
Sunday’s Sermon Slides: Shaped by Testing
Listen to Sunday’s Sermon by clicking here.