We know from James 4:7 that resisting the devil is very important because if we "resist the devil, [then] he will flee from you." In our current society I think the word "resist" has been emasculated to the point that it is only used in dieting circles, so that its meaning conjures images of a feeble attempt to avoid or resist something, like trying to resist eating a third slice of chocolate cake. If we approach this verse with such a definition, then I believe we will have a very distorted and ineffective idea of what it means to resist the devil.
The word "resist" encompasses a much broader definition than what we have allowed it to carry. One aspect of the word ought to be viewed in the context of a battle. The children of God are being assaulted by the Devil and his army of darkness, therefore as soldiers in the army of God, we are called to resist, or to form a resistance against the Devil by bearing arms, as described in Ephesians 6:10-18. This includes holding fast to the truthfulness of God and His word, putting on the full armor of God, and wielding the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit in our resistance against the Devil.
The reason the devil will flee when we resist is because he is not stupid. He is fully aware of the overwhelming power the army of God has when they stand in the power of God. The devil is wise and intelligent, therefore he is not going to try to assault the army of God when they are fully prepared, trained, strengthened, and braced for battle. He knows that he would quickly be defeated if he were to attempt a strike against such an army. We have deadly power against the devil when we stand firm in our faith, in the truth of God, and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Therefore as soldiers in the army of God, let us form a resistance against the devil by standing firm in our faith!
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