How many times have we heard someone quote a portion of vs 7, "resist the devil, and he will flee from you". We do have power over satan and satanic influences, but that power does not come without discipline.
Only one verse in this chapter references us resisting and the fleeing of the devil. However, there are sixteen additional verses that rebuke and instruct us to pursue humility. The first part of vs 7 says to submit ourselves to God.
Submission is not possible without humility. Humility is not possible when we entertain wrong motives (vs 1-3) and pursue our own desires (vs 13 – 17). Keep it real, and stay humble.
Jeff McGee
