Prideful self-sufficiency is a foe that contends against dependency on Christ (John 15:5 ), and the fulness of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18 ). Those who fail to meet the standards of spiritual faithfulness need to know that either they can go on pursuing their selfish passions, or humbly accept the "more grace" God delights to give. No one can accuse God that He expects more of them than it is possible to attain, because His grace is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 ).

"Resist" is 'aniassetai' - this Greek word means "to battle against". What good news. God actually battles against the pride that stands in the way of receiving grace. By humbling ourselves we join God's side in the battle. By turning from pride, and becoming submissive of spirit we experience the more grace, become the more pleasing, and spiritual victors, because we yield to the God of Scripture promise, the God of all grace (Ephesians 1:2; Hebrews 4:16; 1 Peter 5:10 ).

Ryrie comments "There are 10 verbs, all commands in these verses, in a tense that indicates the need for decisive and urgent break with the old life."

Obeying these commands calling for specific action, will root out the sinful attitude of pride.

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. ..."

"Therefore" is used by James to link submitting to God with his quotation of Proverbs 3:34 (NKJV). God : "gives grace to the humble" - so the motivation of this command to submit, is that those failing may qualify as recipients of "more grace" working in them a contrite spirit, and the consequences of pride avoided. "Submit" 'hupotasso' is the action of submitting of yourself to God in readiness to obey. No longer do you try to manipulate in prayer with your own will and selfish longings, that ignore what God's Word teaches. Rather, submitting is an acceptance of God's will, purposes, and a willingness to co-operate in doing what God wants.

	Submit as under His discipline: Hebrews 12:9 "... shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?"
	Submit as offering yourself: Romans 6:13 "And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God."
	Submit as embracing His purpose: Luke 1:38 "Then Mary said, 'Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her."
	Submit as related to Jesus: Matthew 12:50 "For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother."
	Submit as to please God: 2 Corinthians 5:9 "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."

We should submit to God not out of fear, but love. We obey the command and God commands the blessing.

James 4:7 "... Resist the devil, ..."

Being submitted to God is the secret in resisting the devil. Your antagonist is then confronted by God and is scattered. Any disloyalty to God makes you an easy target of the devil. He can attack through the breached door of your unfaithfulness (James 4:4 ). Submitting in faithfulness to God slams the door in the face of the devil. What is more, by submitting to God you have taken your secure place in God your high Rock and tower. How invincible and impregnable is your tower and habitation ( Proverbs 18:10; Psalm 91:9; 61:2 ). The proud onslaught of the enemy is doomed to failure and your resistance in God makes the devil flee from you.

	Resist by being submitted to God (James 4:7 ).
	Resist by giving the devil no opportunity (Ephesians 4:27 ).
	Resist by putting on Go's armour (Ephesians 6:11 ).
	Resist by being self-controlled (1 Peter 3:8 ).
	Resist by being vigilant (1 Peter 5:8 ).
	Resist by being steadfast in the faith (1 Peter 5:9 ).
	Resist by use of the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17; Matthew 4:4 ).

James 4:8 "Draw near to God ..."

Those who are driven by their own desires, wander away from God (Isaiah 53:6 ). Going our own way is not God's way. The condition described by James requires a return to relating to God and His way and will for our lives. Drawing near to God follows submission to Him and resistance of the devil. This action establishes release from worldliness. Fellowship with God breaks the influence of the world over us. Life in the Spirit is a walk in fellowship with God, therefore a walk of victory over the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16 ).

Relating to God in the fellowship of prayer, at its very foundation is personal relationship with God as our Father.

	In communion with Him we taste His goodness (Psalm 34:8 ), and blessed security in trusting Him (Psalm 34:8 ).
	We are not lacking, He generously provides (Psalm 34:9 ).
	He quickens in us desires to follow Him as our role model (Matthew 5:48; Luke 6:36; Colossians 1:10 ).
	He teaches us His way (Psalm 27:11 ).
	He strengthens us in waiting for Him ( Psalm 27:14 ).

By the fellowship of prayer we the beneficiaries, benefit others ( 2 Corinthians 1:4 ). Drawing near to God expresses our relationship in Jesus. Our praying in the name of Jesus means asking in harmony with Jesus and in the character of Jesus (John 14:13-14 ). The anything in His name will be consistent with His character and purpose; this being so, it will be answered. When carnal and worldly, there is no relating to Jesus or His name. Instead there is self-asking in the name of self-interest that causes a drawing away from God.

The command to draw near is an action that responds to God's loving faithfulness (1 Thessalonians 5:24 ). Getting closer to God, beholding His splendour, as "possessor of heaven and earth", seeing Him as your exceeding great reward (Genesis 14:19 ), dims the attraction of the world, then the view of self and wants becomes realistically adjusted (Genesis 14:22 ). The Lord being magnified in our eyes, self-ambition is changed to God pleasing. The promise, on our obedience in drawing near, is that He will draw near to us. There is no withholding on His part, rather, His sure embracing welcome and the giving of Himself (Luke 15:20 ).

	Draw near by choice: Psalm 73:28 "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I may declare all thy works."
	Draw near by communication: Psalm 145:18 "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, ..."
	Draw near by confession: Daniel 9:4 "And I prayed to the LORD my God, and made confession, and said, 'O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and mercy with those who love Him, and with those who keep His commandments,"
	Draw near with confidence: Hebrews 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
	Draw near as convinced: Isaiah 41:10 "Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

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QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

Is it wrong to think that God expects more of you than you can possibly attain? (James 3:6; Hebrews 4:16 ).