The Right Man On Our Side

 

 

"A man came to Charles Finney, the well-known evangelist, and said, 'I don't believe in the existence of the devil.'

'Don't you?' asked Finney. 'Well, you resist him for a while, and you will believe in it.'

That's what the second commandment of James is: 'Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.'(James 4:7b)

A godly life is characterized by its conflicts with sin. The place most frequented by Satan is where holiness dwells."
- Illustrations Of Bible Truths

 

 

"Animal trainers say that the secret of handling lions, tigers, and leopards is to keep them constantly afraid of you. The instant they get over their fear, they will attack. They are treacherous beasts and often gather courage for an attack when the trainer's eyes are turned away from them. One never knows when they will spring at their keeper if they have a chance to do it from behind. Our fight with the forces of evil is like that. Satan is always seeking to attack us from the rear or in ambush. He goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, but he is a great coward when faced with courage. 'Resist the devil and he will flee from you' is as true today as it was when the Apostle James first made the declaration(James 4:7)." - Illustrations Of Bible Truths

 

James 4:7 says - "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." 

 

The Apostle James admonished us to "resist the devil." The word "resist" means to stand against, oppose, or to set oneself against. Therefore, whether the devil comes against us with allurements, flattering promises, fascinations of the world, temptation, or threats, we are to "resist" and oppose him. He secures his triumph against us through deception and craftiness. But we are to make our way against him by courage as the above illustration so aptly pointed out. When he sees that courage and direct resistance, he most assuredly will flee.

 

There are people today - even God's people - who are either obsessed with the idea of a devil or totally ignore that he exists. Read what the Encyclopedia Of Sermon Illustrations says in its section called "Overly Preoccupied With The Devil"  -

 

"A front page headline flippantly asked,' Are more worshippers going to the devil?' Nearly every major magazine and newspaper in the land has one or more features on devil worship and black magic. TIME magazine did a cover story on the 'Occult Revival'(June 19, 1972), and a subheading on the cover gave this ominous warning: 'Satan returns.'  People are unpredictable, aren't they? Either they overdo Satan, or they underdo him - and either is bad. C. S. Lewis hit the nail on the head in his preface to THE SCREWTAPE LETTERS: 'There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe, and to feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased by both errors, and hail a materialist or a magician with the same delight.'  "         
 (- End Of Quote)

 

The Bible most assuredly tells us that there is a devil.

 

He is our arch enemy, seeking whom he may devour. We are in no way to take a passive stance against him, but we are to "be sober, be vigilant..."(1 Peter 5:8) - keeping a watchful eye out for his tactics and snares sent out against us.

We are told in the Scriptures to "Neither give place to the devil"(Ephesians 4:27)..."stand against" his "wiles"(Ephesians 6:11)...and "resist"steadfast in the faith"(1 Peter 5:9) "principalities...powers... rulers of the darkness of this world...and spiritual wickedness in high places"(Ephesians 6:12).

 

Exactly how do we "resist" him?

 

It has already been stated in this message that what causes the devil to flee from us is courage and direct resistance.

 

But where do we get this courage or boldness to stand strong against this vicious enemy of our souls?

 

The answer lies in the first part of James 4:7 - "Submit yourselves therefore to God..." 

 

Contrary to what most people believe, there will be no victory over the devil unless this first command - which the Apostle James lists here - is obeyed. We can say "I rebuke you, Satan" a thousand times over and over again, but he will go nowhere. The Power, Strength, and Boldness to resist him comes from our direct relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Proverbs 28:1 says - "...the righteous are bold as a lion." Our boldness to resist the devil comes not through our own righteousness but through the righteousness of the Lord Jesus that is imparted to us at salvation. It also comes through a life that continues in right standing with Him. Sin weakens us and gives place to the devil rather than aiding in resisting him. Righteous Living makes us bold as a lion.

 

October 31st is a day that everyone remembers as Halloween - the devil's holiday. But how many know that on this very day in the year 1517, Martin Luther - an Augustinian monk and and a professor of theology - posted on the doors of the Cathedral of Wittenberg, Germany, his 95 theses against the teachings of the Roman Church. With this event, the Protestant Reformation was born.

 

This monk is well-known for these 95 theses, but that is not all that is attributed to his name. He is also the famous writer and composer of the renowned hymn - "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" - based on the Psalm of David which says - "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea"(Psalm 46:1-2).
                                                        

James 4:7 - With the Apostle James' words in mind - "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" - read the words of this classic hymn that Luther penned -

 

        "A mighty fortress is our God, a bulwark never failing;
        Our helper He amid the flood of mortal ills prevailing.
        For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe -
        His craft and pow'r are great, and armed with cruel hate,
        On earth is not his equal.

 

        Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing,
        Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing.
        Dost ask who that may be? Christ Jesus, it is He -
        Lord Sabaoth His name, from age to age the same -
        And He must win the battle.

 

        And tho this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us,
        We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph thru us.
        The prince of darkness grim - we tremble not for Him;
        His rage we can endure; for lo! his doom is sure -
        One little word shall fell him." 
      

Think about what Martin Luther was saying here through this hymn.

 

The devil seeks to work us woe.

His craft and power are undoubtedly great.

He is armed with cruel hate against every child of God - threatening to undo us.

He is indeed the prince of darkness whose doom is sure.

The Word of God can stop him and bring him down in a second.

 

Yet this is certainly not the gist of Luther's hymn.

 

In the midst of this ferocious enemy sent to undo God's people stands a Mighty Fortress - Lord Sabaoth is HE!

 

Glory to God! Hallelujah! Praise the Holy and Wonderful Name of JESUS!!!

 

He is a bulwark never failing.

Amid the flood of mortal ills, He is our helper.

He is the right Man on our side  - Christ Jesus - the same yesterday, and today, and forever - Who must win the battle through us by His Triumphant Truth.

 

Notice Luther's line in this hymn which corresponds to James' word - "Did we in our own strength confide our striving would be losing, Were not the right Man on our side, the Man of God's own choosing..." "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." 

 

We cannot resist the devil, fight him, or oppose him in our own Strength. Our Strength against him lies in our submission to God. Otherwise our striving is actually losing. We must have the Right Man on our side.

 

In other words, we must be in right standing with the Lord Jesus and walking in accordance with His Word at all times - if we plan on seeing Victory over the devil in our lives.

 

Amos 3:3 says - "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?"

 

We cannot walk hand in hand with God unless we are walking in holiness and righteousness and in agreement with His Word. This walk of agreement with Him causes us to be able to "resist the devil" and causes him - in turn - to flee.         

 

When we are walking in submission to God's Will, we have the right Man on our side - Christ Jesus, it is He - and He becomes a Mighty Fortress for us against all of our enemies. This Unfailing Bulwark wins the battle each time.

 

So many are obsessed with the devil and his powers.

Others are totally oblivious to the very existence of the devil.

 

There is a devil who is armed with cruel hate against us this day. However, the Holy Spirit would not have us to be preoccupied with him, but would have us concentrate on the Mighty Fortress  Who is our God.

 

When others are caught up with the evil forces in the world and their doings, may we as the Church of the Lord Jesus rise up in song - as Martin Luther did in the days of old - and sing of The Mighty Fortress Who is our God.

 

May we by our obedience also demonstrate to this world and its evil powers that we are in submission to God's Will and Ways, and resultantly, have Power over all the power of the enemy.