What does James 4:7 mean?
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
Quick answer
‘Submit yourselves… to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’—surrender to God is the basis for resisting evil.
What it means
The order matters: first submit to God, then resist the devil. Resistance flows from being under God’s authority.
The promise is that the devil ‘will flee’—evil cannot stand against those who stand with God.
Common questions
How do I resist the devil?
By first submitting to God; James 4:7 ties successful resistance to surrender to God, who gives victory over evil.
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Original BibleDawn explanation · reviewed 2026-06. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed for accuracy.