He said to the woman, “Did God actually say You shall not eat of any tree in the garden?” –
Genesis 3:1
Doubt was the weapon Satan used with Eve. It’s the same weapon he uses today. The key thing to know is, it isn’t the weapon as much as there was Satan lurking around to use it. It’s important to notice that Satan approached Eve. Until that time, Eve was content just enjoying her day never expecting that she was going to be approached and challenged in a way that would change history forever.
One could argue why God planted the tree in the first place. Yet if not for a tree, Satan would have found another object or emotion to entice Eve to doubt God, for humans are emotional beings with a free will planted within us.
We need to know that sin and temptation are all around us every day. It will find us – we don’t have to look for it. Satan is alive and well trying to take us away from God. Instead of apples, he will bring opportunity, beautiful people, money, position, prosperity, new technology, more kinds of freedom: freedom of speech, freedom of expression, more thrills, and with all, he will ask us did God actually say…
Do not judge?
Humble yourself?
Give to the poor?
Do not lust?
Care for the widow?
Love your spouse?
Train up your kids to love God?
To go the extra mile?
Not to worry?
Not to be anxious?
Flee from sin?
To trust Him?
To tithe?
Train up our minds?
Do not let anything have mastery over me?
My body is a temple?
Don’t argue?
Build up others?
Do not consider myself better than others?
That He has a plan for me?
I can do all things through Christ?
That He has overcome the world?
To believe in Jesus and I will have eternal life?
That Jesus is the only way back to God?
The wages of sin is death?
That all have fallen short of the glory of God?
To be still and know He is God?
Don’t be anxious about anything?
To love the church?
To confess my sins?
The moment we awake sin is all around us, but if we look heavenwards, we can see through the darkness that surrounds us and see creation, people, and life as God intended.
God is not far away. He is beside us and before us. He will guide us through this day. Our faith is in Him and His ability, not ours.
We don’t hold His hand with trepidation or hide behind Him, but rather walk hand and hand with boldness, joy, peace, untouchable by Satan.
Be strong and courageous today!
Just a Thought…
