Scriptures for Spiritual Victory #1

Today, as we enter into a weekend of celebration and commemoration of our nation's freedom, we begin a new series of studies on Scriptures for Spiritual Victory.  There is war going on all around us and within us - an unseen battle of heart, soul and mind. We want to be prepared for these battles we encounter daily. James 4 says:

6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 

Our core verse is brief and succinct, but we need to make sure we keep things in order. We cannot fight this war on our own, and we are not in charge. We must first submit ourselves to the authority and power of our Commander and Creator; we need to draw closer to Him; we need to recognize Him as "in charge." The other half of the command is to resist the enemy general, refusing to fall into his plan. And what is his main plan? Pride. He wants us to think and act like he does; he wants us to think that it's all about me, and how I feel, what I want.  Spiritual victory is best for me, but it's not all about me. We cannot be double-minded or two-faced about this. We can only serve one Commander, and that requires that we report to Him, and have Him inspect our hands and hearts, our actions and motives, to make sure we are fighting for Him, and not the enemy.