Standing up to the bully

​10/4/21
Today's devotion for today is based on James 4:7, "Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."
It's hard to think of a bigger bully than the devil. Like any other bully, the devil loves to use intimidation, insults, and accusations to exercise his power over us. And his power is considerable. No mere human being has the ability to stand up to him on their own.
One person, however, did have the power to stand up to the devil on his own. That person is Jesus. Throughout his life, Jesus resisted and overcame the devil in every confrontation he had with him. Even when it seemed as if the devil was about to defeat Jesus, even as Jesus was hanging on the cross, Jesus emerged as the victor. By his death and resurrection, Jesus decisively defeated the devil and destroyed his power.
All those who trust in Jesus as their Savior share in Jesus' victory over the devil. His power to stand up to the devil now is their power as they trust in him. When the devil tries to bully us with his accusations and intimidation, we can, with Jesus' power, stand up to him and stop him. For, when we with Jesus resist the devil, the devil will flee from us.
Please pray with me: Lord Jesus, I have not stood up to the devil as I should. Please forgive me and strengthen me by your Word. Remind me when tempted that in my Baptism, I was made yours. I am connected to you in your death and resurrection. In that relationship with you, I can resist the devil so that he will flee from me. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.