James was the half-brother of Jesus and a prominent leader in the early church. In James 4:7-8 he says, “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

Resisting Satan and drawing nearer to God are closely related. If, as a disciple of Jesus, you resist the devil he WILL flee from you. It’s a promise. In the same way, when you come near to God he WILL come near to you. That’s also a promise.

But how do you do it? Well, the way to handcuff Satan is to hold fast to God’s truth: Scripture, prayer, worship, acts of love in Jesus’ name, and confidently being who God says you are instead of who our society tries to make you think you are.

Satan can’t thrive where God’s word has already been firmly planted.

Remember the Superman movie? If so, you’ll remember that Superman’s one weakness was kryptonite. It took away his strength and power. Well, in a similar way Christ is Satan’s kryptonite!

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.”

Invest in scripture, prayer, worship, acts of love in Jesus’ name, and confidently being who God says you are instead of who our society tries to make you think you are.

Christ is Satan’s kryptonite.

By Matthew Ruttan

–Today’s devotional is connected to my most recent sermon: “In But Not Of The World.” Click here to watch it on YouTube.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.