ORDINARIVM

JACOBI 4:7-8

Resist the Devil and He Will Flee

James 4:7-8 provides the classic formula for spiritual combat: 'Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you.' The promise that the devil will flee is conditional on first submitting to God; resistance alone is insufficient without obedience to divine will.

LATINE
Subditi ergo estote Deo;
resistite autem diabolo, et fugiet a vobis.
Adpropinquate Deo, et adpropinquabit vobis.
Emundate manus, peccatores,
et purificate corda, duplices animo.
ENGLISH
Be subject therefore to God,
but resist the devil, and he will fly from you.
Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners:
and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
NOTA
FONS
Douay-Rheims / Vulgata
USUS
Resisting temptation, spiritual combat
CONTEXT
The promise that the devil will flee is conditional on first submitting to God. Resistance alone is insufficient; it must be grounded in obedience to the divine will.