Click to Login or Sign Up

Baptist Message

"Helping Louisiana Baptists Impact the World For Christ"

Church work (Cartoon: Church of the Covered Dish) VBS people (Cartoon: Fletch) Truth (Cartoon: Joe McKeever)
  • John 3:16
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Archive
  • Cartoons
    • Joe McKeever
    • Beyond the Ark
    • Church of the Covered Dish
    • Fletch
    • Preacher’s Kids
  • Contact
  • Louisiana
  • U.S. & Intl
  • Facts & Finds
  • Culture & Society
  • Editorial

Waylon Bailey

Stay far from temptation by staying close to God

November 9, 2018

By Waylon Bailey

The Apostle James prepared the people of his day and all those believers who have followed after to resist the devil and to live for God in a culture that opposes God. He gave amazing advice which fits any people at any time (James 4:7-10).

“So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, you hypocrites. . . .When you bow down before the Lord and admit your dependence on him, he will lift you up and give you honor.”

Today I want us to look at the relationship between drawing near to God and resisting the Devil. James’ epistle makes that plain. To be close to God is to resist the devil and not to fall under his schemes. On the contrary, when we think ourselves sufficient apart from God we place ourselves in a very dangerous and precarious position.

John Kincaid notices this association as well: “Resist the devil by drawing near to God; Satan doesn’t like to be close to God.” That makes so much sense. Of course, Satan does not like being close to God. To be in the presence of God is to be far from the devil and his desire to destroy us. When Jesus resisted the devil in the wilderness (by quoting and living by Scripture), the devil left Him for a season. That is what happens when we draw close to God.

J. Vernon McGee said it so well: “The Devil will not get to you unless you get too far away from God . . . . A wolf never attacks a sheep as long as it is with the rest of the sheep, and with the shepherd. . . . The closer the sheep is to the shepherd, the safer it is. Our problem is that we get too far from God.”

What joy there is to be close to our Shepherd who cares for His Sheep. To be close to the Shepherd is to be far from the world, the flesh, and the devil.

Waylon Bailey is senior pastor of the First Baptist Church in Covington. This editorial first appeared on his blog.

Comments

Editorial

Finding hope amid the pain

After a painful experience, hope often feels fragile. I have learned to allow joy to begin in small moments. It might be a bird singing outside a window, a kind word from a stranger or a sunset painted across the sky. I’ve had to give myself permission to smile when laughter comes, even if it feels unfamiliar. … Read More

Search

  • Trending
  • Recent
  • Must Read

Recent

U.S. economy grew 3 percent in second quarter

Every female athlete will be forced to take gene test before World Athletics Championships

Study: 15-minute walks could extend your life

Must Read

Louisiana pastor is latest target of nationwide ‘pronoun’ attacks against religious freedom

President Trump: ‘We love you, God, and we love our great military. Protect them.’

Foundation Executive Director
Jeffrey Steed to retire

Copyright © 2025 · News Pro Theme 2.1 On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in