Based on James 4:7
We live in a time when it’s tempting to present faith as only ultra-positive. Everything gets framed as light, love, rainbows, and sunshine. And let me be clear from the start. Jesus is love. Jesus is good. Jesus is our source of life, hope, purpose, and redemption. Do not confuse what I’m saying here.
But a healthy, biblical Christian walk is not one-dimensional.
Scripture calls us to live a full and balanced faith, and that balance includes acknowledging a reality many would rather avoid. There is a devil, and there are forces of darkness actively working to derail us from God’s purpose in our lives.
The devil rarely shows up loudly. He works subtly through lies, deception, fear, anxiety, and discouragement. His goal is simple. If he can keep us distracted, defeated, or doubting, he can keep us from walking in what God has already called us to.
The Bible repeatedly reminds us to be alert, to stand firm, and to guard our hearts and minds. One verse that has anchored me through difficult seasons is James 4:7:
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
This verse is powerful because it gives us a clear spiritual strategy.
First, we submit ourselves to God. Submission is not weakness. It is alignment. It is choosing God’s truth over our feelings, God’s authority over our fear, and God’s promises over the lies we are tempted to believe.
Second, we resist the devil. That means resisting his temptations, his accusations, his distortions, and his deceit. We do not entertain the lie. We do not negotiate with fear. We do not agree with shame.
And then comes the promise.
When we submit to God and resist the devil, he will flee. His influence loses its grip. His power collapses. Not because we are strong, but because the authority we stand in is greater.
I want to be honest here. I struggle with this at times.
There are moments when I get so caught up in the lies the enemy is whispering that anxiety and discouragement take over. It can feel heavy. It can feel paralyzing. But I have also seen this truth play out over and over again in my life. When I stand firm in my faith, when I return to God’s truth, and when I actively resist the lies, the weight lifts. The enemy’s voice loses volume. What once felt overwhelming suddenly feels powerless.
I’ve also noticed something else. The more I speak about Jesus, whether through Affect1Life or in my personal life, the more frequently the resistance seems to come. The enemy does not give up easily. But he also does not have the final word. His influence is limited, his lies are exposed by truth, and his authority is no match for the power of Christ. Jesus has already secured the victory.
So friends, keep fighting the good fight of faith. Stay grounded. Stay alert. Stay submitted to God. And when the enemy comes, resist him with truth and confidence.
God has not abandoned you.
God is not surprised by your struggle.
And God has absolutely got your back.
