Submit and Resist

The Bible reveals how to combat the devil in James 4:7....

(1) Submit yourselves therefore to God. 

(2) Resist the devil, 

(3 - and we are promised)  he will flee from you.

Why is submit mentioned first? 

Because it is opposite of what the devil operates in = which is rebellion.

Submit to God

Resist the devil - resist rising up in rebellion

Many want a title, a position, the authority but they do not want to be under authority. Many fight and resist submission. They're resisting the wrong thing. 

The centurion, although he had authority with many soldiers under him who had to obey his command, realized he had to remain under authority himself. (Mt 8:8-9)  He had to be submitted to those over him in the way he expected the soldiers under him to be in submission.  He had to be their example. 

You want the devil to submit to the authority and power you have over him through the Holy Ghost? You must first be submitted to God and the spiritual authority He has placed over you. 

Submit  - Resist - and the devil will flee from you.