June 29: Submit to God, Resist the Devil

Theme: The Battle for the Mind

Sharon Campbell-Danvers
Shepherdess CIC
Kings & Northside SDA

James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." – Proverbs 4:23

Our minds are a battlefield. Every day, we wrestle with thoughts—some uplifting, some destructive. The enemy seeks to flood our minds with past hurts, present conflicts, and emotions that lead us away from God’s peace. He whispers lies, reminding us of offenses, stirring up anger, and planting seeds of bitterness. If we are not careful, these thoughts can take root and influence our actions.

But does this mean we are doomed to live in this constant struggle? No! God has given us the power to overcome. 2 Corinthians 10:5 tells us to "take every thought captive to obey Christ." This means we don’t have to entertain every thought that enters our minds. Instead, we must consciously choose to filter them through God’s truth.

A Personal Encounter

There was a time when I experienced this battle firsthand. A woman came into my personal space and behaved very badly. As a child of God, I chose to remain calm. I stood respectfully, listened, and walked away with a smile. Later, someone asked me, "What would you have done if she had hit you?" My response was simple: "I would walk away, because if I retaliate, I would be in the wrong."

That night, however, I had a vivid dream. In the dream, I was not as composed—I had a chair, and I was using it to fix her business, as some would say. Looking at her, I thought, Now you know who is the boss. That’s what you get! It felt so real that I jolted awake, relieved that it was just a dream. Immediately, I thanked God because I realized something important: though I had walked away physically, my heart was still holding onto the offense.

Guarding Our Hearts

Proverbs 4:23 tells us, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life." My dream was a reflection of what was hidden in my heart. On the outside, I had done the right thing, but inside, anger and frustration were still lingering. This is how the enemy works—he may not always get us to act in the moment, but he tries to plant emotions that can take root over time.

However, we are not helpless. God has given us a way to renew our minds and protect our hearts:

1. Recognize the Source: Not every thought is from God. We must discern whether our thoughts bring peace or turmoil.

2. Counter with Truth: When the enemy tries to stir up resentment, we must replace those thoughts with Scripture, such as Romans 12:19, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”

3. Pray and Surrender: When emotions rise, we must turn to God and surrender our frustrations to Him. “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

4. Forgive and Let Go: Forgiveness is not about excusing wrong behavior but freeing ourselves from the weight of bitterness. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

Victory in Christ

Even when we struggle with our thoughts, God’s grace is greater. He is always working to transform us, teaching us to respond with love rather than retaliation. When we submit to Him, we can resist the enemy’s attempts to control our minds. James 4:7 says, "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

So, when offenses come—and they will—we must remind ourselves that our battle is not against people but against the spiritual forces trying to steal our peace. With God’s help, we can rise above our emotions and walk in His strength.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for reminding me to guard my heart and renew my mind. Help me take every thought captive and align it with Your truth. When the enemy stirs up anger or fear, give me the strength to forgive and walk in peace. I surrender my mind to You, resisting the enemy’s lies and trusting in Your wisdom.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.