God is credible . . .

 

And Satan says otherwise. He presented a notion to Eve in Eden and has been using it ever since as his most effective tactic. He lies about what the Word of God says and suggests that God’s commands are a burden to us and that He is trying to make us miss out on ‘the good life’ by keeping us under His thumb. This is God’s solution:

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)

While this spiritual enemy uses other tactics, this one is the most common. Who has not heard his whisper in various ways that God really does not want the best for us? Or that we do not need Him because we can gain the good life all by ourselves?

Satan came to Eve in disguise, also indicating his devious way. The Bible says: “Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?’ ” (Genesis 3:1)

He distorted what God actually said: “The Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Genesis 2:16–17)

Satan also followed this with an outright denial of what God said by telling Eve, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” (Genesis 3:4–6)

He implied that God was withholding good from her. This three-fold description of his appeal is very much like the NT command:

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

Eve was duped by a sinful desire in these same three areas that tempt God’s people today. Eating, enjoying beauty, and being wise are not sinful, but believing God will not give us all we need, and pridefully wanting everything we see including fame and fortune and all that looks and feels good is sinful. This is why false teaching like the ‘prosperity gospel’ is so dangerous. It seems good, looks good, and seems wise, but it is contrary to what God says about the purpose and goals of our lives.

I can see that deception now, but Eve missed it. She believed the lies, ate the fruit and gave some to Adam who ate with her. Since then, this enemy continues to deceive and spread his lies. He is subtle, but his attempts to discredit God by disputing, distorting, and denying His Word should be obvious to discerning Christians. When referring to false teachers, the NT says:

. . .  even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:14–15)

How can anyone avoid being victimized by Satan’s attacks? God is teaching me the incredible value of being in His Word, doing systematic Bible study, but also yielding to Him instead of thinking I know what to do. This is simple: say yes to the Spirit’s control through prayer and obedience to Biblical principles. Obey this command in this order: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)

PRAY: Jesus, You are also showing me that when I am genuinely worshiping You and not just in a mindless routine, sin and yielding to temptation is far from my mind. The Word shows me what the flesh is like, and I know that if peace and joy and love for others begins to fade, I’ve something to confess, to give attention to, to yield to You about. Even now, with my body still covered in bruises and two areas of constant pain, any self-pity must be rejected because as soon as I go there, my connection to You weakens and begins to fade. Nothing gives me greater delight, more beauty to look at, or increasing wisdom than You do. I’m learning not to listen to the one who keeps offering me any forbidden fruit — because it leads to spiritual deadness.

PONDER: 1 John 2:12–14 is a simple description of those who are strong in the Word. Think of what happens when I know forgiveness, know God, can overcome the evil one, and call God ‘Daddy’ — all because the Word of God abides in my heart; He enables me to be strong and overcome the evil liar!