Submit to God
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Feb 3, 2023
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 17, 2023
But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:6-7)
James 4:6-7 reminds us of the importance of humility in a Christian's life.
Too often, instead of submitting to God and God’s Word, we find ourselves prideful and arrogant, believing contrary to what God has said. We think we know better than God! If that’s not the height of pride, I don’t know what is!
God’s Word says that you are the healed, but for some reason, you think the doctors have more sense than what God says. God’s Word says that you are abundantly blessed, but you look at the economy and say the exact opposite.
People sometimes tell me, “Well, Pastor, I’m a realist! I just say what I see.” No, you are full of pride and arrogance to believe you know more than God knows.
It's easy to fall into the trap of pride and feel confident about our own abilities, information, or favorite media personality. That’s why James added, we are to resist the devil. James wasn’t talking only about temptations to fall into sin. We are to resist the devil when he tempts us to agree with what he is peddling. When we agree with the devil by speaking words of defeat and depression, we are submitting to him instead of resisting him.
The humble Christians say, “If God says it, I agree with it.” It is my job as a follower of God to submit myself to His Word and resist the lies of the enemy. What God says goes.
Practical Application
Are you deciding on your own or are you asking the Lord about every decision you make? If He isn’t Lord of all your life, He isn’t Lord at all. Humility means deciding to agree with God, regardless of your opinion.
