Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just about saying "no" to temptation; it's about a stance. By aligning yourself "under God," you're actively positioning yourself for the battle, so that when the devil tries to advance, you're already in the right place to make him retreat.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, James warned against quarreling and lusting, which he identified as being rooted in pride and a worldly mindset that’s hostile to God. Now, he offers the antidote: humble submission to God is the foundation for actively resisting the devil's schemes. He assures believers that by standing firm against temptation, the devil will be defeated.
We're wired for battle, but where should we aim our energy? James points to a surprising first step that unlocks divine power.
The verse starts with a powerful directive: "Submit yourselves therefore to God." This isn't about being a doormat, but about actively aligning yourself under God's authority. Think of it like a soldier placing themselves under their commanding officer's orders. This humble positioning isn't weakness; it’s the strategic choice that brings God’s strength on your side. When we surrender our own plans and desires to God’s will, we’re not losing freedom; we’re gaining access to divine grace and protection. It's the essential first step before facing any spiritual opposition.
We’re told to 'resist the devil,' but what does that actually look like? It's more than just wishing him away.
The second part of the verse is the counter-attack: 'Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.' This command is direct and powerful. The devil thrives on our pride and temptations (James 4:6 points to this). Resistance isn't about wrestling him in our minds or trying to outsmart him. It’s a firm, unwavering refusal to yield to his lies and temptations. When we stand firm in our submission to God, we deny the devil any foothold. He can't force us; he tempts and deceives. But when we actively oppose him, refusing to take the bait, he loses his power over us. It's a promise – he will flee.
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.
engizō · Greek Verb
To approach or enter into a relationship of intimacy with God. It signifies a pursuit of communion, worship, and deepening fellowship with the Creator.
hamartōlos · Greek Noun
A formal description of someone who misses the mark of God's perfect standard of holiness. It identifies a person in need of repentance and reconciliation with God.
dipsychos · Greek Adjective
A state of divided loyalty, spiritual wavering, or intellectual inconsistency regarding one's devotion to God. It describes an unstable heart that tries to hold onto both God and the world.
This passage echoes James' warning, urging believers to be self-controlled, vigilant, and to 'resist the devil, firm in the faith,' promising that he will flee from them, just as James states.
Ephesians 6:10-13Paul describes the spiritual armor needed to stand against the devil's schemes, directly connecting 'submitting' to God's strength with the call to 'resist' the devil's temptations and attacks.
Matthew 4:1-11Jesus' temptation in the wilderness provides a powerful example of resisting the devil through submission to God's Word, demonstrating the principle that the devil flees when firmly opposed.
Luke 4:33-36This account shows Jesus' authority over demonic spirits, who recognize His command and are forced to obey, illustrating the power that comes from alignment with God's will when confronting evil.
1 John 4:4This verse offers encouragement by reminding believers that the Spirit within them is greater than the spirit in the world, reinforcing the confidence needed to resist the devil, knowing God is on their side.
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.
This verse isn't just about saying "no" to temptation; it's about a stance. By aligning yourself "under God," you're actively positioning yourself for the battle, so that when the devil tries to advance, you're already in the right place to make him retreat.
Just before this, James warned against quarreling and lusting, which he identified as being rooted in pride and a worldly mindset that’s hostile to God. Now, he offers the antidote: humble submission to God is the foundation for actively resisting the devil's schemes. He assures believers that by standing firm against temptation, the devil will be defeated.
Just before this, James warned against quarreling and lusting, which he identified as being rooted in pride and a worldly mindset that’s hostile to God. Now, he offers the antidote: humble submission to God is the foundation for actively resisting the devil's schemes. He assures believers that by standing firm against temptation, the devil will be defeated.
"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." — This verse isn't just about saying "no" to temptation; it's about a stance. By aligning yourself "under God," you're actively positioning yourself for the battle, so that when the devil tries to ad…
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Last reviewed October 2026