Lesson 45: How to Resist the Devil
The Christian has enemies.
Lesson 44 addressed the flesh—the sinful principle within that seeks to live independently of God.
Scripture also identifies a personal spiritual adversary:
the devil.
Peter writes:
“Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion,
walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Whom resist stedfast in the faith…”
— 1 Peter 5:8–9, KJV
The devil is described as an adversary.
He opposes God and seeks to damage the faith, obedience, testimony, and usefulness of God’s people.
But Scripture does not tell Christians to panic.
It commands them to be sober.
Vigilant.
And steadfast in resistance.
The Devil Is Real
The devil is not merely a symbol representing human evil.
Jesus spoke to him.
The devil tempted Jesus.
He sought to sift Peter.
He entered Judas.
He deceives.
Accuses.
Opposes.
And sets snares.
The Bible presents him as a personal spiritual being who deliberately resists the purposes of God.
Ignoring his existence does not produce spiritual maturity.
Neither does becoming fascinated with him.
The believer’s attention should remain upon God, His Word, and Jesus Christ.
But he should not be ignorant of the enemy.
Paul said:
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us:
for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
— 2 Corinthians 2:11, KJV
A device is a design, purpose, or strategy.
The devil does not need to appear visibly in order to work deceptively.
He may exploit lies, divisions, fleshly desires, resentment, fear, false teaching, pride, or isolation.
The believer should recognize his broad purposes without becoming obsessed with attempting to see demonic activity behind every ordinary problem.
The Devil Is Not Equal to God
The devil is powerful compared with human strength.
He is not all-powerful.
He is not all-knowing.
He is not everywhere at once.
He is not God’s equal opposite.
There is one sovereign God.
The devil is a created being who rebelled against Him.
He operates only within the limits God permits and will ultimately face God’s judgment.
The believer must avoid two opposite errors.
One error treats the devil as though he were imaginary and harmless.
The other treats him as though he were nearly equal to God and able to defeat Christ’s purposes.
Both are false.
Peter describes him as a roaring lion.
He is not a tame housecat.
He is dangerous and must be taken seriously.
But he is also restrained.
He does not possess unlimited authority.
The Christian’s confidence rests in God—not in underestimating the enemy.
The Devil Is a Liar
Jesus said of the devil:
“He was a murderer from the beginning,
and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.
When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own:
for he is a liar, and the father of it.”
— John 8:44, KJV
Lying belongs to the devil’s character.
His work repeatedly attacks truth.
He lies about God:
“God cannot be trusted.”
“God is withholding what is best.”
“God’s commands are unreasonable.”
He lies about sin:
“This will satisfy you.”
“The consequences will not come.”
“You can stop whenever you choose.”
He lies about obedience:
“You will lose too much.”
“Faithfulness will leave you empty.”
“Compromise is the only practical option.”
He lies about the believer:
“Your failure is your final identity.”
“There is no reason to return.”
“God cannot use you again.”
Lesson 47 will address lies and accusations in the mind more fully.
The foundation here is clear:
Resisting the devil requires refusing his lies and standing upon what God has said.
The Devil Is a Deceiver
Revelation describes:
“…that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan,
which deceiveth the whole world…”
— Revelation 12:9, KJV
Deception makes falsehood appear true and danger appear safe.
The devil does not always present evil in its ugliest form.
He may present it as:
freedom;
wisdom;
compassion;
self-protection;
justice;
spiritual insight;
or harmless pleasure.
Paul warned:
“But I fear, lest by any means,
as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty,
so your minds should be corrupted
from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
— 2 Corinthians 11:3, KJV
Subtlety does not always deny Christ openly.
Sometimes it slowly moves the heart away from simple devotion to Him.
The believer should ask:
“Where is this thought or influence leading?”
“Will it strengthen faithful devotion to Christ?”
“Or gradually make compromise appear reasonable?”
Not Every Problem Is a Direct Attack From the Devil
Christians should recognize spiritual warfare without using the devil as an explanation for everything.
A flat tire is not automatically a demonic attack.
An inconvenient delay may be ordinary life.
A disagreement may result from poor communication.
Financial trouble may come from unwise spending.
Exhaustion may come from neglected rest.
Temptation may arise from a person’s own lust.
The devil can exploit ordinary weakness and circumstances, but believers should not avoid responsibility by blaming him for every problem.
Do not say:
“The devil made me lie.”
“The devil made me become bitter.”
“The devil made me commit sexual sin.”
He may tempt, deceive, or exploit an opening.
You still remain responsible for your response.
Spiritual warfare does not remove personal accountability.
The Devil Looks for Openings
Paul writes:
“Neither give place to the devil.”
— Ephesians 4:27, KJV
A place is room, opportunity, or foothold.
The surrounding passage warns against unresolved wrath, corrupt speech, bitterness, anger, evil speaking, and malice.
The devil can exploit sin that the believer protects.
Bitterness gives him material for division.
Pride makes correction difficult.
Dishonesty creates fear and concealment.
Impurity creates secrecy.
Unforgiveness preserves accusation.
False doctrine creates spiritual confusion.
Giving place does not mean that every struggling believer is possessed by the devil.
It means that protected sin gives the enemy practical opportunity to advance his purposes.
Do not ask God to defeat the devil while deliberately preserving the opening through which his work is being assisted.
Submission Comes Before Resistance
James gives the proper order:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…”
— James 4:7–8, KJV
The command does not begin:
“Shout at the devil.”
“Prove how powerful you are.”
“Learn impressive spiritual language.”
It begins:
Submit yourselves to God.
Submission means placing yourself beneath God’s authority.
Accept His Word.
Yield your will.
Confess protected sin.
Obey what He has revealed.
A person cannot resist the devil effectively while simultaneously resisting God.
You cannot reject God’s authority in one area while claiming spiritual victory in another.
Submission closes the agreement the enemy seeks.
Resistance Is Active Refusal
To resist means to stand against.
The believer refuses to cooperate.
When the devil offers a lie, resist by standing in truth.
When he seeks division, refuse gossip, pride, and bitterness.
When he offers secret compromise, bring the matter into light.
When he encourages despair after failure, return to God through Jesus Christ.
When he urges disobedience, choose the next faithful step.
Resistance is not merely saying:
“I rebuke the devil,”
while continuing the conduct that gives him place.
Words without obedience are not meaningful resistance.
Resist through actual faithfulness.
The Devil Flees From Submitted Resistance
James gives a promise:
“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
The verse does not promise that the devil will never return or that every struggle will end immediately.
Jesus was tempted, and after the temptation the devil departed from Him for a season.
Resistance may need to be repeated.
The promise means that the believer is not commanded to perform an impossible act.
The devil can be resisted.
He does not possess the right to receive obedience.
Stand beneath God’s authority.
Refuse agreement.
Continue resisting.
Be Sober
Peter first says:
“Be sober…”
Sobriety means clear-minded spiritual seriousness.
The believer should not be careless, intoxicated, distracted, or governed by uncontrolled emotion.
A spiritually sober person recognizes that decisions matter.
Words matter.
Influences matter.
Doctrine matters.
Private choices matter.
Sobriety does not mean living in constant terror.
It means refusing to treat spiritual danger as entertainment.
The devil benefits when sin becomes humorous, temptation becomes a game, and warnings appear excessive.
Be serious without becoming fearful.
Be Vigilant
Peter also commands:
“Be vigilant…”
Vigilance means staying awake and watchful.
Know where you are most vulnerable.
After success.
During disappointment.
When physically exhausted.
When isolated.
When praised.
When offended.
When spiritually confident.
When you believe you could never fall.
The devil seeks opportunities.
Vigilance recognizes patterns.
Ask:
“When do I become least careful?”
“What usually happens before compromise?”
“What truth do I forget under pressure?”
“What relationship or habit weakens my guard?”
Watchfulness prepares before the attack becomes strong.
Pride Weakens Resistance
Peter’s warning about the devil follows a command to humility:
“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God…”
Pride makes believers vulnerable.
It says:
“I do not need counsel.”
“I have already mastered this.”
“I could never fall in that way.”
“I am spiritually stronger than other people.”
The devil’s own rebellion was connected with pride.
He readily uses pride to separate people from dependence upon God.
Humility says:
“I need the Lord.”
“I need Scripture.”
“I need prayer.”
“I may need correction.”
“I should not place myself unnecessarily near danger.”
Do not confuse spiritual confidence with self-confidence.
Fear Also Weakens Resistance
The devil is described as a roaring lion.
A roar can intimidate before an attack occurs.
The enemy may seek to make believers believe:
“You cannot withstand this.”
“You will certainly fail.”
“You are completely alone.”
“The enemy has more power than Christ within you.”
But Scripture says:
“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them:
because greater is he that is in you,
than he that is in the world.”
— 1 John 4:4, KJV
The believer should not trust his own strength.
He should trust the One who dwells within him.
The devil is greater than unaided human strength.
He is not greater than God.
Resist Steadfastly in the Faith
Peter says:
“Whom resist stedfast in the faith…”
Steadfast resistance is not always dramatic.
It is often ordinary faithfulness.
Praying again.
Reading Scripture again.
Refusing the lie again.
Maintaining the boundary again.
Attending worship when discouraged.
Telling the truth when concealment appears easier.
Continuing a responsibility when quitting would provide relief.
The devil often seeks to exhaust believers until they abandon what is right.
Steadfast faith says:
“I will continue believing and obeying God.”
Believers Are Not Alone
Peter adds:
“…knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished
in your brethren that are in the world.”
— 1 Peter 5:9, KJV
The enemy often uses isolation.
He suggests:
“No other Christian struggles like this.”
“No one would understand.”
“You must hide.”
But believers throughout the world face temptation, opposition, suffering, and spiritual conflict.
You are not the only person who must resist.
This does not minimize your struggle.
It removes the lie that you are uniquely abandoned.
Appropriate fellowship and honest help can expose what secrecy strengthens.
Lesson 52 will address fellowship more fully.
The truth here is that the battle is shared by God’s people.
Do Not Seek Conversations With the Devil
The Bible commands believers to resist the devil.
It does not teach them to become fascinated with addressing him continually.
Prayer is directed to God.
Truth is received from God.
Strength comes from God.
Some people spend more time speaking about demons than speaking to the Lord.
They attempt to identify a spirit behind every weakness, personality trait, illness, or inconvenience.
This can produce fear, confusion, and spiritual pride.
The safest position is not fascination with darkness.
It is submission to God, knowledge of Scripture, prayer, obedience, and steadfast faith.
Do Not Use Reckless or Proud Language
The believer does not need to insult spiritual powers or boast about his own authority.
Confidence belongs in Jesus Christ.
Even Michael the archangel did not speak presumptuously in his dispute with the devil, but said:
“The Lord rebuke thee.”
— Jude 9, KJV
The point is not that believers should never speak firmly against evil.
It is that spiritual warfare is not an opportunity for prideful display.
Do not act as though victory comes from your volume, emotion, or personal greatness.
The Lord is the source of authority and victory.
Christ Intercedes for His People
Jesus told Peter:
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you,
that he may sift you as wheat:
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not…”
— Luke 22:31–32, KJV
Peter faced a real spiritual attack.
Jesus did not pretend the danger was imaginary.
But Satan was not the only one active.
Christ interceded.
Peter failed seriously, but his failure was not the end.
He returned and later strengthened others.
The devil may seek to use failure as proof that restoration is impossible.
Peter’s life proves otherwise.
Jesus Christ is not indifferent to the believer’s battle.
Christ Has Already Triumphed
The Christian does not resist in order to make Jesus victorious.
Jesus Christ has already triumphed.
Paul writes that Christ:
“Having spoiled principalities and powers,
he made a shew of them openly,
triumphing over them in it.”
— Colossians 2:15, KJV
Through the cross, what appeared to be Christ’s defeat became the public overthrow of the powers opposing Him.
Satan could not prevent the resurrection.
He cannot overturn Christ’s finished work.
He cannot remove Jesus from His throne.
The believer resists from beneath Christ’s victory—not in uncertainty over whether Christ will ultimately win.
Do Not Blame God’s Silence for the Enemy’s Lies
During pressure, the believer may not immediately feel God’s presence.
The devil may suggest:
“God has abandoned you.”
“Prayer is useless.”
“Your obedience has accomplished nothing.”
Feelings are not the final authority.
God’s promises remain true when emotions are quiet.
Lesson 49 will address spiritual dryness fully.
Here, resist the conclusion that silence means abandonment.
Continue in what God has revealed.
Refuse Division
The devil seeks advantage through broken relationships.
He may exploit:
wounded pride;
unverified reports;
competition;
suspicion;
resentment;
and refusal to forgive.
This does not mean every disagreement is caused directly by the devil.
It means division serves his purposes when believers abandon truth, love, humility, and reconciliation.
Ask:
“Am I assisting the enemy by preserving a grievance?”
“Am I spreading suspicion rather than seeking truth?”
“Am I more committed to winning than to faithfulness?”
Do not cooperate with the destroyer while claiming to defend righteousness.
Refuse Discouragement That Leads to Surrender
Discouragement may follow repeated struggle.
The believer says:
“I have resisted before, and the battle returned.”
“Why keep fighting?”
The devil does not always need immediate surrender.
He may seek gradual exhaustion.
He wants resistance to appear pointless.
But steadfastness is itself resistance.
You may not see every spiritual effect of continued obedience.
Keep standing.
Lesson 75 will teach discouragement more fully.
The command here remains:
Resist steadfastly in the faith.
Close the Opening
Resistance should include honest examination.
Ask:
“Where have I given place to the devil?”
Through bitterness?
Secret sin?
False teaching?
Pride?
Dishonesty?
Isolation?
Unwise influences?
Continual refusal of correction?
Do not answer vaguely.
Name the opening.
Submit it to God.
Confess sin.
Correct the action.
Remove the access.
Seek help where necessary.
Then resist the devil’s attempts to reopen what has been closed.
Recognize the Snare
Paul described people who might:
“…recover themselves out of the snare of the devil,
who are taken captive by him at his will.”
— 2 Timothy 2:26, KJV
A snare captures through concealment.
The victim does not always recognize the danger until he is caught.
The devil’s snares may involve false teaching, pride, resentment, secret compromise, or hardened resistance to truth.
Recovery is possible.
The passage connects recovery with repentance and acknowledgment of truth.
If you recognize that you have been deceived, do not protect the snare because admitting it feels humiliating.
Receive correction.
Acknowledge the truth.
Return to obedience.
The God of All Grace Will Strengthen You
Peter concludes:
“But the God of all grace,
who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus,
after that ye have suffered a while,
make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.”
— 1 Peter 5:10, KJV
The conflict is real.
Suffering is real.
But it is temporary:
“After that ye have suffered a while…”
The devil is not the final subject of the passage.
The God of all grace is.
He called His people unto eternal glory through Christ.
He establishes.
Strengthens.
And settles them.
Do not allow the enemy to make himself appear greater than the God who sustains you.
God Will Bring the Final Victory
Paul writes:
“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly.”
— Romans 16:20, KJV
The God of peace will defeat the adversary finally.
Until then, believers resist.
They watch.
Pray.
Submit.
Stand in faith.
Refuse deception.
Close openings.
And continue serving Christ.
The conflict will not last forever.
The enemy’s end is certain.
A Practical Resistance Pattern
1. Submit to God
Bring the disputed area fully beneath His authority.
2. Identify the Strategy
Is the enemy using deception, intimidation, division, discouragement, or an opening created by protected sin?
3. Name the Lie
What false belief is being offered?
4. Answer With Truth
Stand upon what God has revealed.
5. Close the Opening
Confess sin, remove access, forgive, seek counsel, or correct the practice giving the enemy room.
6. Refuse Cooperation
Do not assist his purpose through your choices.
7. Remain Vigilant
Expect the pressure may return.
8. Resist Steadfastly
Continue ordinary faithful obedience.
9. Remember Christ’s Triumph
The outcome does not depend upon making Christ victorious.
He has already triumphed.
10. Trust the God of All Grace
He will establish, strengthen, and settle His people.
Discipleship Questions
- What is the difference between the flesh within and the devil as a spiritual adversary?
- Why must submission to God come before effective resistance to the devil?
- How can protected sin or bitterness give the devil practical opportunity?
- Why is steadfast ordinary obedience a genuine form of spiritual resistance?
- What lie, opening, or divisive influence must you presently resist?
Closing Exhortation
Your adversary is real.
Be sober.
Be vigilant.
But do not panic.
The devil is not equal to God.
He is a liar.
Do not believe him.
He is a deceiver.
Test what appears attractive.
He seeks openings.
Give him no place.
Submit yourself to God.
Draw near to Him.
Resist the devil.
Stand steadfastly in the faith.
Do not confuse spiritual resistance with loud words, proud claims, or fascination with darkness.
Resist through truth.
Prayer.
Humility.
Holiness.
Forgiveness.
Watchfulness.
And continuing obedience.
You are not alone.
Christ intercedes.
Christ has triumphed.
The Holy Ghost dwells within believers.
And the God of all grace will establish, strengthen, and settle His people.
A Prayer to Resist the Devil
Father,
Thank You that You are sovereign over every spiritual power.
Thank You that Jesus Christ has triumphed through the cross and resurrection.
Help me take the devil seriously without fearing him as though he were equal to You.
Make me sober and vigilant.
Show me where I have believed his lies, cooperated with division, protected bitterness, excused secret sin, or given him an opening.
I submit myself to You.
Bring every part of my life beneath Your authority.
Expose every lie about Your character, Your Word, sin, obedience, and my identity in Christ.
Help me stand upon truth.
Keep me from blaming the devil for choices for which I must accept responsibility.
Keep me from prideful spiritual language, fascination with darkness, and self-confidence.
Teach me to resist through ordinary steadfast faithfulness.
When the enemy intimidates me, remind me that greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world.
When I fail, remind me that Jesus prayed for Peter and restored him.
When the battle continues, keep me from surrendering through discouragement.
Close every opening I have given the enemy.
Strengthen me to forgive, tell the truth, refuse temptation, receive correction, and continue obeying You.
You are the God of all grace.
Establish me.
Strengthen me.
Settle me.
And let Jesus Christ receive all the glory.
In His name, amen.
Next Step
Complete these statements honestly:
The area in which I may be giving the devil an opening is:
The strategy being used appears to be:
The lie I am being tempted to believe is:
What God’s Word reveals instead is:
The act of submission God requires is:
The opening I must close is:
The ordinary faithful action through which I will resist is:
Do not write only:
“I rebuke the devil.”
Submit the area to God.
Name the lie.
Close the opening.
Stand upon truth.
Then continue resisting steadfastly in the faith.
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