4:7

Therefore, subject yourselves to God: James has just provided Christians with a powerful motive for being humble​—they would receive God’s “undeserved kindness.” Here he follows up with practical instruction on what to do. (Jas 4:6) He noted earlier in his letter that “the wisdom from above is . . . ready to obey.” (Jas 3:17 and study note) Wise Christians gladly subject themselves to their loving, all-wise God by loyally obeying his commands. The verb “to subject oneself” is used in the Christian Greek Scriptures regarding young Jesus, who “continued subject” to the loving supervision of his parents. (Lu 2:51) Jesus also sets the perfect example of submission to his God and Father. (Joh 8:29; see 1Co 15:28 and study note.) Paul used the same Greek verb in his admonition that we “submit ourselves to the Father of our spiritual life.” (Heb 12:9) Those who loyally subject themselves to Jehovah as to a loving father also benefit from his protective care, as James goes on to show.​—Ps 37:28; 68:5; 97:10.

oppose the Devil: Mere humans could never stand against, resist, or fight Satan, “the ruler of this world” and “the god of this system of things.” (Joh 12:31; 2Co 4:4) Yet, James assures Christians that they can oppose Satan and succeed by subjecting themselves to God and receiving his protection. (See study note on Therefore, subject yourselves to God in this verse; compare 1Pe 5:9.) Jehovah gives them a “complete suit of armor . . . to stand firm against the crafty acts of the Devil.” (Eph 6:11-13) Those who accepted God’s support would see the fulfillment of His promise that James records here: Satan and his demons would flee in defeat, having failed to corrupt a servant of God. Those wicked spirits flee, not in fear of the Christian, but in morbid dread of Christ and of Jehovah God.​—Mt 8:28, 29; Jas 2:19 and study note; compare Mt 4:1-10.