DAILY BREAD READING (Published Daily by Our Daily Bread Ministries)
AUGUST 27, 2026
READ: James 4 (Focus vs. 1-10)
MEMORY VERSE
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7
BACKGROUND
In 2018, a man checked into a room at New York hotel for a one-night stay. Remarkably, he used the room for five years without paying another cent—exploiting obscure rent laws to hold on to it. His refusal to leave, however, eventually led to potential prison time for him.
Like an unwelcome tenant who overstays, James warns us that the devil lingers in our lives when left unchecked. “Resist the devil,” James writes, “and he will flee from you” (4:7).
The apostle emphasizes that our struggles often come from impure “desires” and “wrong motives” (vv. 1, 3)—things like pride, divided loyalties, and impure thoughts residing in our hearts.
To counter such temptation, James offers two commands: “submit . . . to God” and “resist the devil” (v. 7). To submit means surrendering every part of our lives to God. Resisting the devil is equally active, requiring prayer, vigilance, and the wisdom of Scripture.
Like a landlord evicting an unlawful tenant, in God’s strength we can refuse to let the temptation of the devil overtake us. As we resist him, God promises victory as James asserts, “He will flee from you” (v. 7).
When we evict sin and the devil’s influence and “come near to God” (v. 8), we allow His peace, joy, and purpose to dwell more fully in us. The enemy can’t stay where God reigns!
Marvin Williams
INSIGHT
In addition to the admonitions of Peter (1 Peter 5:8) and James (James 4:7) regarding spiritual vigilance in resisting temptation, Paul also had something to say about it.
After noting how the Israelites had succumbed to temptation in the wilderness (1 Corinthians 10:1-11), he warned the Corinthians:
“If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful…When you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it” (vv. 12-13).
The apostle lists two examples of how the “way out” can sometimes involve fleeing. He says we’re to “flee from idolatry” (v. 14) and “sexual immorality” (6:18). The Holy Spirit helps us to stand firm against the enemy.
Arthur Jackson
APPLICATION
What can you do to remove “unwelcome tenants” from your life? How does submitting to God help?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“When we evict sin and the devil’s influence and “come near to God” (v. 8), we allow His peace, joy, and purpose to dwell more fully in us. The enemy can’t stay where God reigns!”
PR’s TAKE
“Like a landlord evicting an unlawful tenant, in God’s strength we can refuse to let the temptation of the devil overtake us. As we resist him, God promises victory as James asserts, “He will flee from you”” Today’s Post
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6;10-11
Don’t even give the devil an inch. He will come for a foot; a foot he will come for a yard; a yard he will come for a mile; a mile he will come for life. Pr (adapted)
PRAYER
Sovereign God, please help me surrender every part of my life to You so I can stand firm against the enemy’s schemes.
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“SHAKE THE DEVIL OFF” Dorothy Norwood*
Shake shake shake
Shake the devil off
Shake shake shake
Shake the devil off
Shake shake shake
Shake the devil off
In the name of Jesus
Shake the devil off
Don’t let him ride,
He might want to drive
Don’t let him get you down,
Put you on the ground
He’s out there seeking,
Whom he may devour
But you’ve got to rebuke him
Shake him a-loose somehow!
He’s under my feet
Shake the devil off
He’s under my feet
Shake the devil off
He’s under my feet
Shake the devil off
In the name of jesus
Shake the devil off.
In the name of Jesus
Shake the devil off.
