Resist the Devil

Regrettably, in much of the world today it is difficult to observe any difference between those who call themselves Christians and those making no such claim at all. Different surveys show that many church members have become double-minded, professing faith in Christ while embracing the lifestyle of this fallen world.

Being double-minded was also indicative of the original audience to whom James wrote his epistle. In 1:6–8, James warned his audience against coming before the Lord in a double-minded manner. This audience needed this warning because of its reluctance to be doers of the Word (v. 22), shown by exalting the rich (2:1–7) and misusing the tongue (3:1–12), which indicated that they might be Christians in name only, lacking true faith (2:14–26).

Yet, this audience was not without hope. Some, if not all, were true “brothers” (1:19; 2:1; 3:1) and could once again receive the wisdom and grace of God that ensures perseverance (1:2–4; 3:13–18; 4:6). Today’s passage tells how this is done. The first step is to submit to God and to resist the devil (4:7). Until Christ returns to consummate the kingdom, the devil has the power to lure God’s people away from submission to Jesus’ rule. Therefore, we must stand daily against the enemy and eagerly embrace God’s rule over our lives.

Such submission demonstrates the humility that we must possess if we are to receive the grace that restores us (v. 6). Moreover, this humility also requires repentance and cleansing. We must draw near to God, purifying our hearts and cleansing our hands (v. 8) by turning from our inward and outward sins and asking God to cleanse us.

Verse 8 does not tell us that we initiate our relationship with God. In fact, God must come to us first (John 6:44). Yet His regenerative work in our hearts is demonstrated as we draw near to Him. On this point, John Calvin says, “if anyone concludes from this passage, that the first part of the work belongs to us, and that afterwards the grace of God follows, the Apostle meant no such thing; for though we ought to do this, yet it does not immediately follow that we can. … The very thing he [the Holy Spirit] bids us to do, he himself fulfills in us.”