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Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.¹

Scripture describes believers as a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people, once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.² In him also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.³ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.⁴

Thus, to our detriment there is a fallen angel, Satan,⁵ who is burning with jealousy and envy; that he commands his minions, the devil, to kill and steal and destroy.⁶ Then add the flesh; it is easily lured to sin by its lust, and desire, and a penchant for pride.⁷ Plus, our love for the things that the world offers. So we have three adversaries going against our new nature, which we have to be mindful of: Our flesh, the world, and the devil. Do not be surprised if because of your faith in Jesus you encounter challenges, suffering, or false accusations. These are all part of the test.⁸

Nevertheless, we have a Helper, the Holy Spirit⁹ who indwells all believers; thus, we have the power to trample on our foes. But this power is only activated by our submission to the authority of Jesus. He is the Alpha and the Omega¹⁰—the beginning and the end; the King of kings and the Lord of lords;¹¹ he is above all things in heaven and on earth;¹² all authority rest on Jesus.¹³ Believers are to submit to Jesus.

What does it mean to submit to God? There are two principles that may guide us—two most important and carries much weight for God, that which he has exalted above all else: his name and his word.¹⁴ We show submission to God by glorifying his name and abiding in his word.

Twice a year we consecrate¹⁵ ourselves through prayer and fasting, to subjugate our flesh and desire to be in God’s presence that he may redirect us as we hear from him. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.¹⁶ Devour his word daily and be of good courage! God is preparing you that you may increase and be fruitful; thus, fulfilling his will for us.