The Model Prayer – 16

Sermon on the Mount - 33

Deliver Us from the Evil One

We are exhorted to do many things as a Christian, and yet we are reminded that we have to lean on Jesus Christ as our source of strength.

What part do we have to do and what part does God have to do in our struggle against evil and the evil one?

James 4:1–4 (NIV84)

1What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?

Fights and quarrels have their part in evil and the evil one.

2You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.

3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

4You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

This is not saying friendship with people in the world is hatred toward God or makes anyone his adversary.

Rather, friendship with the world, the kosmos, the evil world system which lies under the power of Satan; this friendship makes one God’s enemy.

We can never be friends to this world’s system, this society with God left out.

Richard Wolff: “The world is human nature sacrificing the spiritual to the material, the future to the present, the unseen and the eternal to that which touches the senses and perishes with time. The world is a mighty flood of thoughts, feelings, principles of action, conventional prejudices, dislikes, attachments, which have been gathering around human life for ages, impregnating it, impelling it, molding it, degrading it.”

Secular humanists want to leave God out of everything.

Atheists don’t believe God is in anything.

Liberals want to keep God in a box.

Those who walk with Jesus want to show Him off every day and in every way.

Jimmy Draper: “One of the things that has happened in our time is that we no longer draw the line. We have so much world in the church and so much church in the world that we have a hard time telling the two apart. We have tried to have the best of both worlds.”

James 4:5-6 (NIV84)

5Or do you think Scripture says without reason that the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely?

NIV 2011: that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us

NIV84 footnote: Or that God jealously longs for the spirit that he made to live in us; or that the Spirit he caused to live in us longs jealously

He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us. God wants to protect what is rightfully his. He created mankind with a “spirit,” and he deeply desires that our spirits worship him (see John 4:23–24). He has redeemed us. He deserves our worship and friendship.

6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

James 4:5–6 (AMP)

5Or do you suppose that the Scripture is speaking to no purpose that says, The Spirit Whom He has caused to dwell in us yearns over us and He yearns for the Spirit [to be welcome] with a jealous love?

6But He gives us more and more grace (power of the Holy Spirit, to meet this evil tendency and all others fully). That is why He says, God sets Himself against the proud and haughty, but gives grace [continually] to the lowly (those who are humble enough to receive it).

More grace = μέγας megas χάρις charis = greater in size or importance or degree. (mega grace)

God’s grace is greater and stronger than our human tendency to sin.

Opposes = ἀντιτάσσω antitassō = to range an army in battle-array against.

This is an offensive posture of coming against an enemy.

God opposes the proud means he resists and sends judgment.

God gives grace to those who are humble before him.

Gives = δίδωμι didōmi = give; grant.

John 6:65 (ESV)

65And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”

Granted is the same word, δίδωμι didōmi, as used in James 4:6. God grants to us, only by his sovereign will, his grace: a gift we do not deserve.

James 4:7 (NIV84)

7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Submit = ὑποτάσσω hypotassō = subject oneself, be subjected or subordinated, obey.

It is the same word used in Luke 2:51.

Luke 2:51-52 (NIV84)

51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.

52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

When James says “submit,” he actually means “obey.”

Submit: A voluntary act of placing oneself under the authority of someone else to show him respect and obedience.

Resist = ἀνθίστημι anthistēmi = To stand against, resist, whether in deed or word.

The only command given to believers for dealing with Satan is to resist the Devil. It is significant that this command is given three times in the New Testament (1 Peter 5:9; James 4:7; Eph. 6:13).

Robert Dean, Jr.: It is extremely important to pay attention to the defensive aspect of this command because it is just the opposite of what some people are teaching today about spiritual warfare.

The ideas of binding, rebuking, performing exorcisms, or taking dominion over Satan and demonic strongholds are offensive ideas.

When believers go on the offensive against Satan, they are stepping out of their legitimate bounds by becoming involved in situations that the Lord has never intended for them.

Resistance is a defensive maneuver on our part, such as resisting or withstanding the temptation to sin.

Resistance can be an action we take to use the only offensive weapon in the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13–18), the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.

Using the Word of God does not mean that we can “add” to the Scriptures by using words like, “I bind you Satan, in the Name of Jesus.”

The sword of the Spirit is wielded by quoting the Word of God and nothing else.

Even when we wield the Sword of the Spirit, we are commanded to stand not advance (Ephesians 6:13, which we will discuss a little later).

Using the Scriptures to expose Satan’s lies and temptations is the most effective way to strive against and defeat them.

He will flee = φεύγω pheugō = to flee, take to flight.

To run or move away quickly, so as to escape.

Satan is not omnipotent but Christians can resist him and when they do, he will then flee in the face of such resistance. Satan does not have dominion over the believer unless the believer submits to him willingly.

What a promise! You resist the devil, he will flee.

Absolute evil is never a positive force. Evil cannot coerce the human will but is dependent upon it, much like a parasite.

Evil, despite its destructive nature, doesn't have independent creative or generative power. It can't force or coerce someone to sin. Instead, it operates more like a parasite, requiring a "host" (human will/choice) to have any effect.

Its power to harm is dependent on finding willing participants.

It's not God who tempts, nor can evil force sin, but rather "each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin."

Look at Jesus's temptation. Satan could present temptations but couldn't force Jesus to sin. The power of evil required voluntary participation, which Jesus refused to give.

Evil’s ability to cause harm is parasitic – dependent on finding willing hosts through human choice and cooperation.

A defensive posture is all that is required to rout the evil one: resist him, and he will flee.

The word for “resist,” anthistēmi, is different from the word for “oppose,” antitassomai, in the previous verse that describes God’s active opposition against the proud.

Against the devil, resistance (defensive posture) is the effective attack for believers.

Oppose, used in James 4:6, is an offensive posture against the enemy. (This is active opposition against the devil, which we are not called to do.)

Resist, used in James 4:7, is a defensive posture against our enemy, the devil.

1 Peter 5:8–9 (NIV84)

8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

9Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Resist = ἀνθίστημι anthistēmi = to oppose, resist, stand out against. (defensive posture)

Tom Constable: The Greek word translated resist means to defend oneself against, as opposed to attacking the enemy.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: It is a term of defense rather than attack. Christians may stand firm against Satan only if they depend wholly on Christ, firm in the faith.

Because of the constant activity of the Devil, believers are exhorted to resist him. This does not mean that they should stand up and fight their persecutors.

Rather they should resist them by standing firm in their faith, that is, by not being led into apostasy despite all the persecutions against them.

Firm = στερεός stereos = marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable.

The original Greek does not have standing in this verse. “Resist him, firm in the faith…”

The faith (tē pistei) is biblical revelation. It is the whole body of revealed truth contained in Scripture.

This is a call to know and believe sound doctrine, to be discerning in distinguishing truth from error, and to be willing to defend the truth and expose error.

Ephesians 6:11-13 (NIV84)

11Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Put on = ἐνδύω endyō = “to envelope in, to hide in, to clothe with.”

Colossians 3:3, “For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”

We hide ourselves in Christ, we put on the armor of God.

Romans 13:13–14 (NIV84)

13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.

14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

To stand is the keynote of this whole passage. The picture is not of aggressive warfare, but of holding the fortress of the soul against the trickery and all the assaults of the evil one.

Take your stand = ἵστημι histēmi = Stand, stand firm, place firmly, establish, set, confirm; to stand fast, be firm, be permanent, endure.

ἵστημι histēmi emphasizes the positive stance of standing firm for and in truth, righteousness, gospel, and faith.

ἀνθίστημι anthistēmi stresses the defensive stance against the onslaught of evil, even while wielding the only offensive weapon in the armor: the Sword of the Spirit.

In one instance, we are standing for truth; in the other, we are standing against evil.

The armor of God is to help us stand firm in the faith.

We are exhorted to put on the full armor of God not just bits and pieces of it.

God supplies the armor; we still have to put it on.

We’ll cover the various aspects of the armor of God at a later date. We’ll continue to concentrate on answering the question: What part do we have, and what part does God have in our deliverance from evil and the evil one?

James 4:8-10 (NIV84)

8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

The coming to [near] God is not the experience of initial conversion, but the act of contrition involving renouncing evil practices referred to in 4:1–4 for those who are already Christians.

God’s promise is that if we draw near to God, he will draw near to us.

To draw near to God demands His cleansing. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Double-minded refers to those who try to live in two natures, one of the world and one of God.

Matthew 6:24 (NIV84)

24"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Washing and purifying depict two aspects of one and recall the actions of the priests in the temple. Both aspects are connected; the former pertains to deeds and the latter to thoughts.

9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.

Grieving, mourning, and wailing are resounding calls to an overt and explicit repentance.

There is no allowance made for Christians to take a casual attitude toward sin.

Mourning (πενθεῖν) and wailing (κλαίειν) are the accompaniments of repentance, not the substitutes for it.

While there is still time, genuine repentance is needed or else those who are unrepentant face the eschatological (the end time) wrath of God.

Laughter shows how casually James’s readers were treating their sin. The only proper reaction to God’s coming judgment is to be wretched and mourn and weep.

When temptation strikes us, it is not a time to be laughing, joking around, or being complacent.

Temptation is affliction; therefore, it is time to discipline one’s self to control the comforts and joys of life. Temptation is a time for rigorous warfare—for battle and the disciplined endurance of battle.

10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

If we humble ourselves before the Lord, he will lift us up.

Humble = ταπεινόω tapeinoō = to be or become reduced in rank, character, or status.

Luke 14:7-11 (NIV84)

7When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable:

8"When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited.

9If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.

10But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests.

11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

He will lift up = ὑψόω hypsoō = to cause enhancement in honor, fame, position, power, or fortune, exalt.

Isaiah 57:15 (NIV84)

15For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

Luke 18:9-14 (NIV84)

9To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:

10"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.

11The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector.

12I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'

13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'

14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV84)

1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us fix our eyes = ἀφοράω aphoraō 2x (Phil 2:23) = to view with undivided attention by looking away from every other object.

To keep thinking about, without having one’s attention distracted. (Hebrews 12:2)

to look to (undistractedly): to look to something without having one’s attention diverted. (12:2)

to see (consequences): to ascertain how something will turn out. (Philippians 2:23)

The goal, as well as the starting point, was marked by a square pillar, and a third was placed midway between the two. This goal is referred to in Philippians 3:14.

Philippians 3:14 (NIV84)

14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I press on = διώκω diōkō = to strive energetically for some purpose—‘to strive toward a goal, to press on with the purpose of.’

You will run in the directions your eyes are fixed on.

What we fix our eyes upon becomes what shapes our hearts, directs our steps, and ultimately molds our character. Our hearts and character matter to God.

1 Samuel 16:7 (NIV84)

7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Our hearts and not our outward appearance is what matters to God.

Proverbs 4:23 (NIV84)

23Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.

This question, being in line with a continued study of being delivered from evil and the evil one:

How do we guard our heart (above all else) against evil, the evil one, and their deceit?

Next Week!!! (The Lord willing)