James 4:7
Bible Verses. Also called James 4:7, Jas 4:7, Submit yourselves therefore to God, Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Scripture quotation from the King James Version (KJV). Read this chapter
James 4:7 is the exhortation in the Epistle of James to submit to God and resist the devil, with the promise that the devil will then flee. It is frequently quoted in sermons and prayers dealing with temptation and spiritual warfare. Interpretation centers on how "submitting" and "resisting" relate to each other.
About this articleAI draft from a Korean source. Notes on Korean Protestant practice. No sources listed. Not yet reviewed by a person.
- Origin
Drafted by AI from the Korean church.wiki article, then translated and adapted for English readers on 5 November 2026.
- Perspective
Includes notes on Korean Protestant practice; other traditions are noted where they differ.
- Sources
None listed yet. The article draws on the biblical text and general reference works. Add a source
- Review
Not yet reviewed by a person. Last edited by a person: never. Translation updated 5 November 2026. Edit history
Context
The Epistle of James is traditionally held to have been written by James the brother of the Lord to "the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad" (James 1:1).
The opening of chapter 4 traces the wars and fightings within the community to lusts. It also rebukes the readers, declaring that friendship with the world is enmity with God. Verse 6, citing Proverbs 3:34, states that "God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble."
Verse 7 takes up this statement with "therefore" and opens the series of commands in verses 7–10: "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." The commands that follow are to draw nigh to God, to cleanse one's hands, and to humble oneself in the sight of the Lord. The passage as a whole is therefore read as a call to repentance addressed to a proud community.
Interpretation
- Contextual reading: Many commentators see "submission" as paired with the humility of verse 6. The Greek verb (hypotassō) means "to come under an order." On this reading, resisting the devil becomes the practice of repentance, which involves forsaking pride, lust, and strife. Many sermons also draw attention to the order of the commands: first submit to God, then resist.
- Spiritual warfare reading: In Pentecostal and charismatic circles, the verse is read as grounds for believers to withstand the devil's temptation and oppression through the authority they have received in Christ. It is also cited in support of so-called "resistance prayer," in which the devil is rebuked directly during prayer.
- Reading of the promise: The promise "he will flee from you" is interpreted as an assurance that the devil cannot overcome a believer who has submitted to God. However, Luke 4:13 records that the devil "departed from him for a season." On this basis, some add that a single act of resistance does not end the struggle.
Debates and Issues
The text and translation of this verse are not seriously disputed. In Korean Bible translation, the Revised New Korean Version replaced the earlier Korean Revised Version's word sunbok with bokjong, both rendering "submit." Debate concerns mainly the verse's application.
- Reformed concerns: Some, including those in the Reformed tradition, hold that narrowing "resisting" to the act of verbally commanding the devil is problematic, because it obscures the preceding call to submission and the subsequent demands for humility and repentance (vv. 8–10).
- Position emphasizing spiritual warfare: Proponents hold that submission and active resistance belong together.
- Common caution: Voices in various denominations urge caution against applications that blame every difficulty on the devil.
Perspective: Korean Protestant practiceHow this idea is used in Korean churches, kept from the original Korean article.
In Korean churches, the verse is frequently quoted in sermons dealing with trials, temptation, and spiritual warfare. It is also cited as a proof text in prayer meetings when participants resist the devil through praying aloud together (tongseong gido).
Related Passages
See also 8
Is there a problem with this article? Report it
Log in to report. Reports are reviewed within 24 hours.
Discussion 0
Share corrections, other viewpoints or questions about this article.