The word for this week is "flee"! The verse we are probably all most familiar with is James 4:7:
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. KJV
This, and every New Testament "flee", is the Greek word "pheugo". This is a primary verb that Strong's Concordance says means: to run away (literally or figuratively), to shun, to vanish. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to seek safety by flight, to escape safe out of danger. That is certainly true of what the enemy is trying to do when we stand on the Word, submitted to God! The Voice translation of the Bible says this:
7 So submit yourselves to the one true God and fight against the devil and his schemes. If you do, he will run away in failure.
The first requirement, though, is that WE must submit to God. One of the ways that we submit is by obeying the Word. Some of the verses that instruct US to flee certain things include these:
1 Cor 6:18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man does is without the body; but he that commits fornication sins against his own body. 19 What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own? 20 For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. KJV
1 Cor 10:14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. KJV
1 Tim 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. KJV
2 Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. KJV
By "fleeing" these things that the enemy tries to use to tempt us, WE are running from danger into the safety of the Word and the presence of God! God's intention for US is ALWAYS good! John 10:10 reveals the plans and purposes of the devil in comparison to God's plans and purposes for our lives:
10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). AMP
I also like this from the Old Testament, where the word for "flee" is the Hebrew word "nuwc".
Prov 28:1 The wicked flee when no man pursues: but the righteous are bold as a lion. KJV
This word is similar to the Greek. According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament it: denotes rapid movement away from something or someone. It usually connotes escape from real or imagined danger. THAT sums up Proverbs 28:1 pretty well! As you stand on the Word for yourself and for your family, you will put the devil on the run! What he means for evil, God will turn around for your good! Have a great week celebrating Ellyson Grace and her first birthday! Here, in her honor, is Hillsong Kids with "Rainbow":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
