Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse doesn't just tell us to resist the devil; it frames this resistance as a consequence of submitting to God. It's about aligning yourself with the ultimate authority first, and from that position of divine support, you're equipped to stand firm against temptation.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
James has been calling out the believers' internal conflicts and rivalries, directly linking them to worldly desires that wage war within them. He contrasts this destructive pride with God's empowering grace, which is given to the humble. This verse then provides the solution: align yourself with God's authority and actively oppose the devil's schemes.
James calls us to 'submit.' What does that really mean? It's more than just giving in; it's an active posture of trust and alignment.
The Greek word for 'submit' here isn't about passive resignation. It means to arrange oneself under, to place yourself in order beneath someone else's authority. Think of a soldier arranging themselves under their commander's orders. When James tells us to submit to God, he's calling us to actively align our lives, our plans, and our desires under His perfect will and authority. It’s a humble acknowledgment that God's wisdom and power are greater than our own, and that His arrangements are always for our ultimate good. This isn't about being weak; it's about finding true strength by placing ourselves where we are meant to be – under God's loving care and direction.
The battle against temptation and evil isn't won by hoping it goes away. James gives us a clear, active strategy.
When James says 'Resist the devil,' he’s using language from warfare. This isn't a gentle suggestion; it's a command to stand firm, to oppose him directly. The devil is described as proud and tempting us with pride, envy, and worldly allurements. Resisting him isn't about trying to reason with him or debate him; it's about a steadfast refusal to yield. It’s about saying 'no' to temptation, not a little bit, but entirely. The promise that he 'will flee' is a divine assurance. God doesn't let the devil conquer those who actively stand against him in faith and reliance on God's strength. It’s a confident declaration that when we take our stand against the Enemy, empowered by God, he is defeated.
Understand the original words
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hypotassō · Greek Verb
The act of yielding or placing oneself under the authority or arrangement of another. In a spiritual context, it is the voluntary surrender of one's own will to the will and commands of God.
diabolos · Greek Noun
The spiritual adversary of God and humanity, who acts as the primary tempter, accuser, and instigator of evil. He is a real spiritual being actively seeking to lead people away from God.
anthistēmi · Greek Verb
To stand against, oppose, or set oneself in battle formation against an enemy. It denotes active, spiritual warfare against the schemes and temptations of evil.
This passage directly echoes James's command, instructing believers to be sober, vigilant, and to 'resist the devil, firm in your faith,' promising that he will flee.
Luke 4:1-13Jesus' temptation in the wilderness serves as a prime example of submitting to God's will and resisting the devil's direct assaults, demonstrating that the devil does indeed flee when powerfully resisted with God's word.
Ephesians 6:10-13Paul's exhortation to put on the full armor of God is a practical unpacking of James's command, emphasizing that spiritual warfare requires submission to God's strength to stand against the devil's schemes.
John 8:44Jesus' description of the devil as a liar and the father of lies highlights the deceptive nature of the devil's temptations, underscoring why submission to God's truth is essential for effective resistance.
barnesJames 4:7: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Submit yourselves therefore to God - That is, in his arrangements for obtaining his favor. Yield to what he has judged necessary for your welfare in the life that is, and your salvation in the life to come. The duty here enjoined is that of entire acquiescence in the arrangements of God, whether in his providence or grace. All these are for our good, and submission to them is required by the spirit of…
vincentJames 4:7: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
Submit yourselves (ὑποτάγητε)Rev., be subject. The verb means to place or arrange under; as resist (James 4:6) is to array against. God sets himself in array against the proud; therefore, array yourselves under God, that ye may withstand the devil.
The verse doesn't just tell us to resist the devil; it frames this resistance as a consequence of submitting to God. It's about aligning yourself with the ultimate authority first, and from that position of divine support, you're equipped to stand firm against temptation.
James has been calling out the believers' internal conflicts and rivalries, directly linking them to worldly desires that wage war within them. He contrasts this destructive pride with God's empowering grace, which is given to the humble. This verse then provides the solution: align yourself with God's authority and actively oppose the devil's schemes.
James has been calling out the believers' internal conflicts and rivalries, directly linking them to worldly desires that wage war within them. He contrasts this destructive pride with God's empowering grace, which is given to the humble. This verse then provides the solution: align yourself with God's authority and actively oppose the devil's schemes.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." — The verse doesn't just tell us to resist the devil; it frames this resistance as a consequence of submitting to God. It's about aligning yourself with the ultimate authority first, and from that po…
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Last reviewed October 2026