James’ law of motion
Newton's third law of motion states that: “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” For example when we sit in a chair, our body exerts a downward force on the chair and the chair exerts an upward force on your body. There are two forces resulting from this interaction - a force on the chair and a force on our body. …Strangely that came into my mind this morning when I turned to my daily reading in James.
James 4:7 NIV [7] Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James has been addressing some Believers that are not in a good place. Rather than pursuing holiness, they’re making themselves right at home with the world. They were quarrelling, fighting, coveting Christians. …And now from verse 7 James is offering solutions. The first of these I thought of as an action and reaction - submission and resistance. The action of - submission (to God), and resistance, (to the devil).
Their carnal behaviour had led them to mix those two up. They were resisting God and submitting to their own evil desires, inspired by the devil. But as Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, James calls them to reverse that order.
What about you today? Do you need to apply “James law of motion,” the action of submitting to God, and the reaction of resisting the devil. To submit means to yield to another, to give way to them. To resist means to say no, to reject their leading.
The truth is as Christians submit to God and resist the devil their behaviour will be transformed. Holiness will follow, and the peace of God restored. …Lets pray.
Lord in seasons of trial and temptation my resistance is weak. Strengthen me to say no to the wrong, and yes to the right. Help me to listen to and obey your voice. And help me to shut out the clamour of the enemy. Amen.