All of us in life at one time or the other have gotten to the crossroad of resistance and avoidance; it is our reality however that often times we do not know what to do. By the time you finish reading this article, you would know what to resist and what to avoid in Jesus name.

What is resistance?

The word ‘resist’ means to “withstand or strive against or oppose” - push / fight against something or someone.

What should I resist?

The bible says we should “…resist the devil, and he shall flee” – James 4:7

It also says we should resist the devil, our adversary, during trials and temptations – not to succumb to his roaring – and God will strengthen and settle us. – 1 Peter 5:7-10

Errors we often make:

• Many Christians resist the Holy Spirit instead the devil and persons of evil – Acts 7:51
• They resist the Holy Spirit by persecuting God’s people – Acts 7:52
• They resist the Holy Spirit by refusing to keep the law / commandments of God – Acts 7:53
• Some resist the Holy Spirit by failing to receive the gifts of the Spirit and failing to walk in His fruit. They allow pride in their hearts, saying “the gifts of the Holy Spirit are no longer functional, therefore not necessary.”

What does God resist?

We must however come to realization that God Himself “resists the proud, …” – 1 Peter 5:5

No wonder, it was this pride what made Lucifer to fall from heaven – Isa. 14:12-15

Satan’s power is limited

The book of James 4:7 clearly shows that Satan is limited; this scripture says “resist the devil and he will flee.” You know that it is only a fearful person or thing who flees. This is to say Satan can flee from us if we push against (resist) him. He is not as powerful as he seems. This is why the bible told us that he just “walks like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” – 1 Pet. 5:8. Please get your courage from the bible; Isa. 14:15 already says Satan will go to hell, therefore be not afraid of him, rather resist him and he will run from you. Say to yourself, “Satan has no power over me” Repeat it and continue to believe it.

How to resist the devil:

By using God's words again the devil – as Jesus did in the wilderness – Mat. 4:4, 7, 10

-Don’t be afraid to say to the devil ‘the Lord rebuke you Satan’ – Zech 3:2; Jude 1:9

By praying – Mat. 26:41

By not consenting to anyone who tells you there is another God somewhere – Duet. 13:8

By putting on the whole armor of God – Eph. 6:11

By remaining steadfast in the faith, not giving up in times of affliction – 1 Pet. 5:9

Resist the devil but FLEE / ABSTAIN FROM (AVOID) SIN – 1 TIM. 6:11

To flee is “to run away, as from danger or pursuers; take flight or to move swiftly; fly; speed” – Random House dictionary

To this end I want to reaffirm to you today that there is need to run away from sins, because sins do not leave us alone just because we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. We are the ones who need to run away from sins.

What does the bible say about fleeing from sin?

It says we should flee from it.

Flee from:

1. Idolatry - 1 Cor. 10:14
2. False doctrines and those who cause friction among brethren.   The bible says, “… flee these things …” - 1 Tim 6:3-11; Rm. 16:17
3. Evil desires of youth – 2 Tim. 2:22; sinful desires – 1 Pet. 2:11
4. Sexual immorality (fornication – sex before marriage, etc.) - 1 Cor. 6:18 This is so serious because if someone like David, “a man after God’s own heart” could fall into the sin of sexual immorality, then anyone could fall into it. This is why the Bible says we should run.

I read an article on CBN.com and the title is “Escaping Sexual Sin Before it’s Too Late” – written by Rev. Marty O’Rouke. A question was raised in the article, saying, “When do you need to flee?” I quote:

• “When you find yourself thinking about a “friend, co-worker, ministry partner, counselee” and how much you enjoy being with this person -- FLEE!
• When you look forward to spending more time with this person and you make sure you look especially nice if you know you might see your “friend” that day -- FLEE!
• If you begin to fantasize about being with this person or knowingly start touching your “friend” in “innocent” ways -- FLEE!
• When you become more secretive about your interaction with your “friend” because people like your spouse might “misunderstand” your friendship -- FLEE!
• If you receive cards, e-mails or presents from this person that you would not want your spouse to see -- FLEE!
• When you find yourself comparing your spouse in an unfavorable way to your “friend”-- FLEE!
• If you start confiding in your “friend” about your marital problems – FLEE”

1. Profane and vain babbling talks - 2 Tim. 2:16, 23; 1 Tim 6:20 ;Tit. 3:9;
2. The path of the wicked - Prov. 4:14-17
3. All appearances of evil - 1 Thess. 5:22

Example of someone who fled from sin: Joseph – Gen. 39:1-12

That was the way Joseph chose to live his life; how are you leaving yours? How will you continue to live your life from this day on? It seems as if the only way to overcome some sins is by flight.

Why should we run from sin?

Because sin enslaves people – John 8:34; Rom 6:16; Rom. 7:14 & 25

Why don’t we run from sins?

• May be we don’t believe they can hurt us; but the bible says the wages of sin is death
• May be we love them more than God; but if we say that’s not the case, then we should start showing God love by preferring Him over those sins.

How can we run from sin?

• By cutting off (avoiding or walking away) from those things that entrap us, as Jesus advises in Mark 9:43-47

Conclusion:

In 1862, a woman by the name of Leslie wrote a hymn titled, “If you are tired of the load of your sins, let Jesus come into your life now…” – This must be what Jesus meant in Mat. 11:28 when He said, “come to me…”; “If you are tired of the load of your sin, Let Jesus come into your heart; If you desire a new life to begin, Let Jesus come into your heart. Just now, your doubtings give o'er; Just now, reject Him no more; Just now, throw open the door; Let Jesus come into your heart.” Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/h/1038#ixzz1MM7iqmWL

May the Lord assist you in your resisting and fleeing.

Do you have a sermon notebook? I have customized one for you. Please call 516-8605729 for your copy. Also available for your benefit is a daily devotional titled “The Way” and a life-changing book titled “Chosen But Naughty.” Call now and enrich yourself with life-lifting information which is laid out in the books.

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Pastor Abraham Obadare is a minister at Christ Apostolic Church WOSEM, 108-02 Sutphin Blvd., Jamaica, NY 11435. Listen to Radio broadcast on www.eagernessofgod.org or visit www.wosem.org

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