James 4:7-8 (part 1: submit to god)

James 4:7-8 is a spiritual strategy for overcoming temptation (temptation to live our own way). James gives us three commands in these short verses: submit, resist, and draw near. Over the next few weeks, we're breaking down these themes: surrender, victory, and intimacy.

"Submit to God"

"In the previous verses, James spelled out how his Christian readers had been living lives of worldly self-reliance, as many of us do at times. They had committed themselves to getting what they wanted at all costs, even to the point of fighting with other believers. They believed God, but they refused to trust Him to provide good for them and to accept that He was still providing good when He withheld what they wanted most.

God sees this as adultery, cheating on Him with the world. He takes it personally. He opposes us in our pride when we live that way, but He doesn't reject us. In the previous verse, James wrote that God gives more grace. He gives grace to the humble.

How should we respond when we realize we've been on the world's path again? This verse reveals the beginning of James's answer: submit to God again. Give up getting what you want, and willingly receive all the good He gives." -Bible Ref

Submission means placing our lives in the hands of God and choosing that His wisdom and plan for our life is greater than our own. Submitting to God means surrendering our plans, fears, expectations, and even outcomes that we desperately want to control. The truth is, we have no control. The sooner we can release that to Him, the sooner we start to experience freedom.

We can break the chains of anxiety, stress, and disappointments if we choose to live under God's authority. This doesn't mean that life will suddenly become easy, but we will no longer be swayed by circumstances and instead, we place our trust in God's plan.

Do you suffer from anxiety and stress? God wants to take that from you, but you have to be willing to let it go. If your pride is keeping you from fully trusting God, then work on humility. Work on asking God to humble and soften your heart so that you can stop living your own way. This requires daily effort and can be done through prayer and the strength of others in your community.

We can (and should) surrender every part of our lives to God: our finances, our relationships, our plans, our fears, our self-doubt, our health goals, our thought patterns, etc. so that we can walk in His purpose. Keep this in mind as you reflect today.

Reflection & Discussion questions:

1. What area of my life am I holding tightly instead of surrendering to God?

2. What fears or desires make it difficult for me to trust Him completely?

3. What would it look like to choose God's way over my own this week? (seek help from a friend if you need ideas)

   
   

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for offering to take all of my anxiety, fears, and worries so that I can live in freedom. I struggle to surrender these things, so I am asking You to help me live a life of obedience and humility instead of pride. Teach me to trust Your wisdom over my own understanding and to follow You no matter the cost. Amen.