RESIST SATAN

RESIST SATAN

-In the couple of lessons previous to this we have talked about the importance of

being sober (free from the influence of intoxicants, of clear mind) and vigilant (being

watchful, awake and alert).

-These characteristics are necessary so that we can be prepared to resist Satan.

-1 Pet 5:9 – “whom resist stedfast in the faith”

-Resist

-resist – (Vines)* - anthistemi - "to set against" (anti, "against," histemi, "to cause to

stand")…”to withstand”

-Eph 6:10-13

-vs 13 – “to withstand” – anthistemi

-In verse 10, to stand against is translated from “histemi and pro”. Histemi –

(Vines)* - denotes to stand, to set” and therefore pro means “against”

-The same word (histemi) is used in vs 13 and translated “to stand”.

-James 4:7 – resist = anthistemi

-There is a very important point made here by James.

-Resisting Satan is a two part action.

-First, we must “Submit…therefore to God”.

-After doing the first step of submitting to God, then we can do the second step –

“resist Satan”.

-Now notice James 4:8. If we draw nigh (near) unto God, He will draw nigh to us.

Again, there is a two part action. First of all, God will draw near to us. He wants to

and has gone to great lengths to reach down to us. However, we must also take part

and respond by reaching up to Him through obedience.

-To do so, we must resist the devil.

-Consider these examples:

-Jesus – Matthew 4 – When tempted by Satan, Jesus resisted him by relying on and

using the scriptures. “It is written”

-God has given us the ammunition that we need – the word (Heb 4:12, Eph 6:17)

-Job – Even though Job suffered terrible loss and at times struggled through the

difficulties, he maintained his faithfulness to God and resisted Satan.

-In both cases (and with many more throughout the scriptures) we see a two part

response – submission to God and resistance of Satan.

-Eph 4:27

-NIV – “do not give the devil a foothold”

-NAS – “do not give the devil an opportunity”