Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. — James 4:7

Let’s face it. Most of us would prefer spiritual development to be simple. We want our capacity to handle heat to be effortless. We want the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work, and we want God to keep us safe from undue tension and pressure. God, thankfully, empowers us with his Holy Spirit. He does, however, warn us that in order for the Spirit to function strongly in our lives, we must deliberately surrender our wills to God and oppose the adversary. If we will put up a fight against him and his temptations, he will flee from us. Let us do our share, confident that God will keep his promises!

 

Thought

Let’s face it. Most of us would prefer spiritual development to be simple. We want our capacity to handle heat to be effortless. We want the Holy Spirit to accomplish the work, and we want God to keep us safe from undue tension and pressure. God, thankfully, empowers us with his Holy Spirit. He does, however, warn us that in order for the Spirit to function strongly in our lives, we must deliberately surrender our wills to God and oppose the adversary. If we will put up a fight against him and his temptations, he will flee from us. Let us do our share, confident that God will keep his promises!

 

Prayer

Thank you, Father, for your presence and power in me via your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the Scriptures that reveal your will to me. Now, my Father, I willingly surrender my will to yours, requesting that you do your will in me. Please use your people and your Spirit to motivate and inspire me to combat the enemy and recognize his attempts to undermine my devotion to you. In Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen.