Skip to content
Journey Through the Bible

A Deep Dive into James 4:7: Meaning and Explanation

James 4:7 is a profound verse from the New Testament that calls for active spiritual discipline and commitment. This verse provides clear guidance on aligning oneself with God, emphasizing humility and resistance against negative forces. By dissecting James 4:7, we can fully appreciate its significance and meaning.

Understanding James 4:7

The passage reads: ‘Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.’ In this context, James addresses early Christians, urging them to adopt a lifestyle that aligns with divine principles. It serves both as an admonition and assurance of spiritual victory.

Breaking Down the Meaning

  1. Submitting to God
    • The term ‘submit’ implies yielding or surrendering to God’s authority. It encourages believers to place their trust and live according to God’s will, fostering a deep and humble relationship with the divine.
  2. Resisting the Devil
    • Resistance implies actively standing firm against temptations and evil influences. James assures believers that through steadfast faith and reliance on God, they can overcome adversities and spiritual challenges.
  3. The Promise of Victory
    • The verse concludes with the reassurance that the devil ‘will flee’ from those who resist. This promise highlights that spiritual strength and guidance from God lead to overcoming evil.

Summary

James 4:7 encapsulates a powerful message of faith and perseverance. By submitting to God and resisting negative forces, believers are promised spiritual triumph. This verse serves as a guide for living a disciplined, purposeful life in alignment with divine principles.

Cross References for James 4:7

Hebrews 12:9 - Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How mu... Click to read the verse Hebrews 12:9 Click to read the verse Hebrews 12:9

Romans 10:3 - Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own... Click to read the verse Romans 10:3 Click to read the verse Romans 10:3

Job 1:21 - and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the L... Click to read the verse Job 1:21 Click to read the verse Job 1:21

Acts 5:3 - Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to ... Click to read the verse Acts 5:3 Click to read the verse Acts 5:3

Ephesians 5:21 - Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Click to read the verse Ephesians 5:21 Click to read the verse Ephesians 5:21

Luke 23:41 - We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothin... Click to read the verse Luke 23:41 Click to read the verse Luke 23:41

Romans 14:11 - It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every ton... Click to read the verse Romans 14:11 Click to read the verse Romans 14:11

2 Chronicles 30:8 - Do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were; submit to the Lord. Come to the sanctuary, which ... Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 30:8 Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 30:8

Daniel 4:32 - You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass lik... Click to read the verse Daniel 4:32 Click to read the verse Daniel 4:32

Psalms 66:3 - Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before... Click to read the verse Psalms 66:3 Click to read the verse Psalms 66:3

Jeremiah 13:18 - Say to the king and to the queen mother, “Come down from your thrones, for your glorious crowns... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 13:18 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 13:18

1 Peter 5:6 - Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Click to read the verse 1 Peter 5:6 Click to read the verse 1 Peter 5:6

Matthew 4:10 - Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and ser... Click to read the verse Matthew 4:10 Click to read the verse Matthew 4:10

Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find... Click to read the verse Matthew 11:29 Click to read the verse Matthew 11:29

1 Samuel 3:18 - So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 3:18 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 3:18

2 Chronicles 33:12-13 - In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the ... Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 33:12-13 Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 33:12-13

Acts 26:19 - “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. Click to read the verse Acts 26:19 Click to read the verse Acts 26:19

Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give ... Click to read the verse Hebrews 13:17 Click to read the verse Hebrews 13:17

Daniel 4:25 - You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass lik... Click to read the verse Daniel 4:25 Click to read the verse Daniel 4:25

Luke 4:8 - Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” Click to read the verse Luke 4:8 Click to read the verse Luke 4:8

Acts 9:6 - “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Click to read the verse Acts 9:6 Click to read the verse Acts 9:6

2 Samuel 15:26 - But if he says, ‘I am not pleased with you,’ then I am ready; let him do to me whatever seems g... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 15:26 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 15:26

Ephesians 4:27 - and do not give the devil a foothold. Click to read the verse Ephesians 4:27 Click to read the verse Ephesians 4:27

2 Kings 1:13 - So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his... Click to read the verse 2 Kings 1:13 Click to read the verse 2 Kings 1:13

Daniel 4:34-37 - At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was res... Click to read the verse Daniel 4:34-37 Click to read the verse Daniel 4:34-37

Psalms 32:3-5 - When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. Click to read the verse Psalms 32:3-5 Click to read the verse Psalms 32:3-5

1 Peter 5:8 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking fo... Click to read the verse 1 Peter 5:8 Click to read the verse 1 Peter 5:8

Job 40:3-5 - Then Job answered the Lord: Click to read the verse Job 40:3-5 Click to read the verse Job 40:3-5

Psalms 68:30 - Rebuke the beast among the reeds, the herd of bulls among the calves of the nations. Humbled, m... Click to read the verse Psalms 68:30 Click to read the verse Psalms 68:30

Revelation 12:9-11 - The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the... Click to read the verse Revelation 12:9-11 Click to read the verse Revelation 12:9-11

1 Peter 5:9 - Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the worl... Click to read the verse 1 Peter 5:9 Click to read the verse 1 Peter 5:9

Luke 4:13 - When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left him until an opportune time. Click to read the verse Luke 4:13 Click to read the verse Luke 4:13

1 Peter 2:13 - Submission to Rulers and Masters Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority insti... Click to read the verse 1 Peter 2:13 Click to read the verse 1 Peter 2:13

Ephesians 6:11-12 - Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Click to read the verse Ephesians 6:11-12 Click to read the verse Ephesians 6:11-12

1 Peter 5:8-9 - Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking fo... Click to read the verse 1 Peter 5:8-9 Click to read the verse 1 Peter 5:8-9

Acts 16:29-31 - The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. Click to read the verse Acts 16:29-31 Click to read the verse Acts 16:29-31

Matthew 4:3-11 - The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” Click to read the verse Matthew 4:3-11 Click to read the verse Matthew 4:3-11

2 Kings 1:13-15 - So the king sent a third captain with his fifty men. This third captain went up and fell on his... Click to read the verse 2 Kings 1:13-15 Click to read the verse 2 Kings 1:13-15

Luke 4:2-13 - where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the ... Click to read the verse Luke 4:2-13 Click to read the verse Luke 4:2-13

Job 42:1-6 - Job Then Job replied to the Lord: Click to read the verse Job 42:1-6 Click to read the verse Job 42:1-6