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Bow down so He can lift you up. Bowing down in humility so God can lift us up in victory.

Four Commands for Revival (James 4:7–10)

1.Submission – all-encompassing surrender to God.

2.Resistance – all-demanding stand against the devil/temptation.

3.Repentance – all-embracing turning from sin, cleansing hands and hearts.

4.Humility – all-enriching posture; bow down so God can lift you up.

The bottom line is trusting God as a generous giver who unreservedly gives good gifts worth receiving. He’s never late nor tardy, never reluctant nor dismissive, never insufficient nor lacking. Whatever dilemma I’m facing, mountain I’m climbing, crisis I’m walking through, God’s grace is available. God’s grace means He is faithful, even when your faith slips. God’s grace means God loves you, even when you hate what you did. God’s grace means God is keeping you even when you sabotage yourself. God will complete the work in you, even when you are easily distracted. God calls you His child, even when you don’t live up to His standards. God is near even when things feel far. God calls, restores, equips, empowers, and fills you with His Spirit. He’s tirelessly on our side. His patience is never
exhausted. His initiative never stops. His generosity has no limits. He
is never less than sufficient. He always has yet more grace to give!

2.Resistance – all-demanding stand against the devil/temptation.

Submission to God is itself an act of defiance to the devil.

Resistance means you take a stand against a real, rebellious, relentless foe who hates Christians, despises the church, abhors righteousness, detests your family, berates the Bible, and hates God.

Denial is discouragement to the devil.

- Resist Him in Your Actions.

- Resist Him in Your Thoughts.

You take control of your life by taking control of your thoughts.

I must ground myself in God's truth.

I must persist in prayer. Prayer turns negative thoughts into positive actions.

Portia Nelson, Autobiography in 5 Short Chapters

Chapter 1

I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost.
I am hopeless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter 2

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I’m in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter 3

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in . . . It’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter 4

I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter 5

I walk down another street.

Opening
1. James often paints word pictures (waves, mirrors, tongues, balance). Which of his pictures sticks out most to you—and why?
2. Where do you feel most “unstable” right now—in your emotions, relationships, faith, or habits?

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I. Submission – All Encompassing (James 4:7a)
3. What makes it difficult for us to submit fully to God?
4. William Booth said, “God has had all there was of me.” What would it look like for God to have “all there is of you”?
5. In what situation do you need to stop saying “run another play” and instead trust God’s call?

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II. Resistance – All Demanding (James 4:7b)
6. How do you usually respond when you sense spiritual attack—fight, flight, or freeze?
7. What practical steps help you resist the devil in your thoughts (e.g., prayer, Scripture memory, accountability)?
8. What area of your life feels like the hardest “fight” right now, where you need God’s strength to keep resisting?

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III. Repentance – All Embracing (James 4:8–9)
9. How do you know the difference between regret and repentance?
10. Which chapter of Portia Nelson’s “hole in the sidewalk” story best describes where you are in your walk?
11. What “new street” might God be calling you to walk down right now?
12. Why do you think James emphasizes both clean hands (outward actions) and pure hearts (inward motives)?

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IV. Humility – All Enriching (James 4:10)
13. Why is humility so hard, even for believers?
14. How have you seen God “lift you up” when you chose to humble yourself?
15. Where do you sense God asking you to bow lower so He can raise you higher?

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Closing
16. Which of the four balance-board commands (Submission, Resistance, Repentance, Humility) do you most need to work on this week?
17. How can this group pray for you to pursue maturity and single-minded devotion to God?