By: J.M.G. — 10/24/22
Good question.
Before we answer this Scripturally, first we define the two:
Submit: (Eng. Dict.) “to commit to the discretion or decision of another or others, yield, surrender, to put forward as an opinion;” (Hebrew, kachash/anah/rapha).
(Greek, hupeiko), from hupo), “to yield, be weak”): to surrender: – “submit self;” “hupo”, “underneath, below (gen. Applications, esp. inferior position/condition, and specifically covertly or moderately”).
Hebrews 13:17 uses this Greek word: “obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls…” (NKJV) other version use submit.
Other verses like 1 Corinthians 16:16; Ephesians 5:22; Colossians 3:18; Joshua 4:7; 1 Peter 2:13 and 5:5 all use the word submit, a different Greek word from hupeiko: hupotasso, from hupo, “to subordinate, obey, be under obedience, subdue, be put in subjection.”
– James 4:7 –
We’re all familiar with James 4:7:
“Therefore SUBMIT to God. RESIST the devil and he will flee from you.” Here we have 2 opposites: Submit and resist. We also have 2 subjects: God and the devil.
Resist: (English Dictionary), “to fight against, oppose, to withstand, combat, repel;”
(Greek, anthistemi (as used in James 4:7), from anti (a prim. Particle) = “opposite, i.e. instead of or because of.” Anthistemi = “to stand against, i.e. oppose, withstand.”
The concern here in James 4:1-12 is with the origin of conflicts in the Christian Ekklesia. These are occasioned by “love of the world,” something that is still with us today. The admonition “Do not love the world or the things in the world” (1 John 2:15) isn’t taken seriously anymore. James 4:4 says, “To be friendly with the world will put one in the adulterers/adulteress class and in the enmity class with God,” whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an ENEMY of God.” That’s either true or false.
Since James 4:1-6 is about “wars and fights” (v.1), lust/covet for the things of the world (v.2), verse 7 gives the antidote: SUBMIT to God/ RESIST the devil. James tells the guilty to “Draw near to God, cleanse your hands, purify you hearts, lament and weep, humble yourselves, do not speak evil of one another” (vv. 8-11). This is the way we RESIST the devil.
James 4 teaches Submission, Repentance, Humility and Resistance.
The problem we have today is that the Church doesn’t SUBMIT or RESIST enough.
Paul wrote, “Give no place to the devil,” (Ephesians 4:27). Giving place to the devil would be stealing (v.28), corrupt speech (v.29), grieving the Holy Spirit (v.30). In verse 31 Paul lists bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and (again) evil speaking.
Paul does not stop there, he continues on in chapter 5 where he mentions “fornication and all uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, coarse jesting, (vv.3,4). Yet all these things are so common among Church folks today. There are preachers that endorse the whole LGBTQ plus community, abortion, all forms of filthy entertainments, even using the “F” word (et al.) in their “gospel” presentations. Drugs, alcohol, theft, lying etc. are common things in Churchianity these days.
– Q. & A. –
Do we Submit or Resist? Both.
No one has to convince us that we are living in a politically correct/woke generation where good is evil and evil is good. Therefore it is not surprising that the church has invited the PC/W spirit into its congregation. Even writing this generates enemies. Well, too bad. Ever since I’ve been a believer I have been persecuted for standing for what Scripture stands for. I’ve been told by church leaders to “calm down,” “cool off,” “don’t be so radical,” “you’re too harsh and unloving,” “blend in,” “compromise a bit more” blah, blah, blah. Actually the church itself has been more an enemy to us (my wife and me) than the world.
Paul, in his epistle to Timothy wrote about “In the last days… men will be lovers of themselves…” (2 Timothy 3:1, 2). Paul jots down a litany of sins, 2-4, that will be evident in the world/church. He makes mention of 2 men, Jannes and Jambres (v.8) that RESISTED Moses. He compares them to the ones within the churches in his day: “… so do these also RESIST the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith” (v.8).