Daily Devotionals

October 31

Resist Him in the Name of Jesus

Gloria Copeland
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

How many times have you seen footage on the 6 o’clock news of someone resisting arrest? Have you ever noticed their behavior? They refuse to cooperate. They fight back. They kick, scream, hit and do anything and everything they can except what the arresting officer wants them to do. What are they doing? They are resisting. The law calls it “resisting arrest.”

In the same way, when you act that way toward the devil, he’ll flee from you. James 4:7 guarantees it. The word flee in that scripture doesn’t just mean he leaves the scene. It literally means he runs as in terror.

The reason he runs is because you bear the Name of Jesus. That Name strikes terror into every fiber of the devil’s twisted being.

If you could see things from his viewpoint, you’d see why. Philippians 2:9-10 describes the situation clearly: “God also hath highly exalted him [Jesus] and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth.” That includes the devil. He has to bow his knee at the Name of Jesus.

Now you can see why, when you resist the devil in Jesus’ Name, he flees from you. He has no choice. Jesus is the One Who defeated him. In fact, after Jesus spoiled principalities and powers, Colossians 2:15 says He made an open show of them publicly, triumphing over them!

Satan was humiliated in front of all the angels of heaven and the demons of hell. He is a defeated foe and he knows it. Jesus is the One Who defeated him—and it’s His Name you’re wearing!

So the next time you’re tempted, or the next time Satan tries to put something over on you, resist him in the Name of Jesus. Say, “Satan, I take authority over you. I resist you in the Name of Jesus and I’ll not receive (whatever he’s trying to tell you or give you). According to Colossians 2:15, you are defeated! And I am victorious! Amen.”

Speak the Word

I submit myself to God, and I resist the devil. The devil flees from me. (James 4:7)

Scripture Study: Colossians 2:9-15


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