INTRODUCTION:
 
       A.  James 1:12-13 implies that the Devil is the instigator of temptation and sin.

       B.  Some people are confused about the Devil.

            1.  "Is he really as bad as they say?"

            2.  "Is satan a real being?"

      C.  Satan is real, he is not a myth.

            1.  I Peter 5:8 - called satan; means adversary.

            2.  Matthew 4:1-11 - called devil; means slanderer.

            3.  Matthew 4:3 - called tempter.

             4.  II Corinthians 4:4 - called, "god of this world."

       D.  Satan's purpose is to deceive, seduce and destroy God's people.

       E.  Whenever we resist sin, we resist the devil.

       F.  Today, let's notice HOW we can resist the devil in our lives.
 

   I.  WE MUST SUBMIT TO GOD -V. 7a.

       A.  We are to "give up" to God.

           1.  We have been held by the pleasures and passions of the world --- SIN.

           2.  Matthew 16:24.

           3.  We permit ourselves to get in God's way and suffer as a result.

       B.  Jesus is Lord - submit to Him.

            1.  Acts 2:36.

            2.  Lord means ruler, master, authority - one in possession of a slave.

            3.  Must let Jesus have control.

       C.  Must submit to the righteousness of God.

            1.  Romans 10:1-3.

            2.  God's righteousness is revealed in the gospel - Romans 1:16-17.

                 a.  Must obey the gospel to take part in God's righteousness - 
                      II Thessalonians 1:7-9.

       D.  Willingness to obey God and fulfill His commands will enable us to "Resist
             the devil."

  II.  WE MUST DRAW NEAR TO GOD - V. 8a.

       A.  Move toward God away from the devil.

            1.  The farther we are away from the devil, the closer we can be to God.

       B.  It is an honor and a privilege to "draw nigh unto God."

            1.  Under the Mosaic period only the priest could "draw nigh unto God."

                 a.  Exodus 19:22; 34:30.

                 b.  Leviticus 10:3.

            2.  People had access to God through the priest - Ezekiel 44:13.

       C.  Under the New Covenant:

            1.  Christians are priests of God - I Peter 2:5.

            2.  All men can draw nigh unto God (through Christ) - Hebrews 7:19.

            3.  We have access to God - Ephesians 2:18.

       D.  We can stay close to God in prayer - Hebrews 4:16.

       E.  We can stay close to God by constantly looking into "the perfect law of
             liberty" - 
            James 1:22-25.

 III.  WE MUST LIVE LIVES OF REPENTANCE - V. 8b.

       A.  "Cleansed hands" - symbol of repentance.

            1.  Drawn from O.T. ritual - Leviticus 16:4.

            2.  Used as a symbol of moral purity in the N.T.

                 a.  I Timothy 2:8 - "...lifting up holy hands..."

       B.  "Purify your hearts" - stresses sanctification and consecration to God's
             service.

            1.  I John 3:3.

            2.  We must appear before God with pure hands and a pure heart -
                 Matthew 5:8.

       C.  If we have sin in our lives, we must remove it by repentance if we ever hope
             to "Resist the devil."

  IV.  WE MUST BECOME SENSITIVE TO SIN - V. 9.

       A.  Unless one is aware of sin, he will not follow God's plan for forgiveness.

            1.  I John 1:6-9.

       B.  This is the fruit of repentance.

            1.  Sorrow for sin.

            2.  Godly sorrow works repentance - II Corinthians 7:10.

            3.  Matthew 5:4.

       C.  If we become sensitive to sin, we can "Resist the devil."

   V.  WE MUST HUMBLE OURSELVES BEFORE GOD - V. 10.

       A.  Pride is one of the devil's most valuable tools.

            1.  Proverbs 16:18.

            2.  Pride leads one to assume that he doesn't need God - Romans 1:20-25.

            3.  Must be humble and dependent upon God as a little child -
                 Matthew 18:1-4.

       B.  Humility causes us to see our need for God - I Peter 5:6.

       C.  Jesus is our example - Philippians 2:5-8.

       D.  We "Resist the devil" by being humble.

   CONCLUSION:

       A.  Is the devil allowed free course in your life?

       B.  What are you doing to resist the devil?

       C.  Remember that the devil is real, alive, and ready to pull you into his grasp.

       D.  Prepare for the fight - Ephesians 6:10-18.

       E.  You can't fight the devil without the help of God.