What I'm Listening To: Run Devil Run

David Crowder's 2016 song Run Devil Run is a crude transliteration of James 4:7 (b)

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you

It is no secret that sin corrupts us and distracts us from the new life of right relationship with God (Eph. 4:22), but we have this truth to help us put on the new self:  we are renewed in the spirit of the mind and now live in the likeness of God!  (Eph. 4:23-24).  In this passage in Ephesians, Paul encourages us to completely change, putting aside the old ways of doing things - anger, falsehood, stealing, unwholesome words and contrasts these with the new life:  good words for edification, kindness and forgiveness.

... and do not give the devil an opportunity (v.27)

It is not easy to resist when we are tempted, but we have a perfect example to follow:  Jesus was tempted in every way, yet was without sin.  

For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Heb. 2:18 ESV)

So we have the example of Jesus going before us, being tempted but succeeding in His battle against the devil.  In fact, He was so successful that He died as the perfect, unblemished Lamb of God; death could not hold Him - he was raised to life on the third day after His death on the cross!   It is in Jesus that we have our victory over sin.

I previously wrote about the progress of temptation in "Gollum":  lust leads to temptation, conceives and gives birth to sin, then when it is fully grown, sin gives birth to death.  See https://twdthegoal.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/gollum_22.html

Many religious people are really trying to live good lives and avoid sin, but the problem is that without Jesus, they are doing it in their own strength.  Nobody is good enough for God's standard except Jesus.   Jesus is the only way to God; the only way to have victory over sin; the only way to resist the devil. 

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (Jn. 14:6 ESV)

In fact, the devil's fate is sealed.  It has been sealed since Jesus uttered His last words on the cross,

It is finished!  (John 19:30)

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Rev. 20:10)

Let's not forget the context of James 4:7 and what comes before and after the exhortation to resist the devil...

Being a friend of the world means we are an enemy to God, so we should submit to God.   Having submitted to God, we have the power to resist the devil and he will flee.   Then as things are in the right priorities in our lives, we can draw near to God, and He will draw near to us.

Notice the verbs, requiring our action:  Submit, resist, draw near.   There's an onus on us, but God doesn't leave us unequipped.  He provides the tools for us (I've highlighted the actions and underlined the tools):

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.  Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;  in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints.  (Eph. 6:10-18 NASB)

The lyrics of Crowder's song are,

I got somethin' make the devil gonna run
He been dancin' till the break of dawn
Devil gon' try to take a shot at me
He got none, but baby I got three

He tryna make a fool outta me
Y'all takin' out my sanity
He ain't nothin' but a silver tongue
I got somethin' make the devil gonna run

I got somethin' make the devil gonna run
I got somethin' make the devil be gone
Run devil, run devil, run devil run
You bet your bottom dollar he's gonna be gone
I got somethin' make the devil gonna run

Run devil, run devil, run devil run

I got somethin' make the devil go away
I've been dancing all night and day
Holy Ghost, filled with fire
Look out devil we got revival

Now people gonna move and say
Holy Roman murder scene
He ain't nothin' but a silver tongue
And I got somthin' make the devil gonna run

I got somethin' make the devil gonna run
I got somethin' make the devil be gone
Run devil, run devil, run devil run
You bet your bottom dollar he's gonna be gone
I got somethin' make the devil gonna run

I got the King of kings and the Lords of hosts
I got angel armies and a Holy Ghost
I got spirits here that are tied by fire
I got a valley of bones that came alive
I got a cross, a hill, and an empty grave
I got a trumpet sound and one sweet name
Shake the gate of hell, the sinners and dogs
I got my Jesus and the devil gotta run

I got somethin' make the devil gonna run
I got somethin' make the devil be gone
Run devil, run devil, run devil, run
You bet your bottom dollar he's gonna be gone
I got somethin' make the devil gonna run

Run devil, run devil, run devil run

You can stream Crowder's official music video on Vevo at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US1-R-R9lYQ.  It's really quite good!