Scripture:
Genesis 3:1-7 NKJV
[1] Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” [2] And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; [3] but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ” [4] Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. [5] For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” [6] So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave it to her husband with her, and he ate it. [7] Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked, and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.
Observation:
Every time I read this portion of scripture it’s clear to me how the enemy works, and just like the first verse states, he is very crafty. I want to bring some things to our attention this morning that some of us may already know and some of us may just be figuring out. However, I believe it’s valuable information. The first thing we need to look at is that the serpent is very crafty. Through years of reading the bible. One of the things that I have noticed in this portion of scripture is that the serpent approaches Eve and not Adam. I believe that is a calculated attack and here is why. Before Adam was put to sleep and his rib was taken the LORD told him which trees he could eat from and which ones not to eat from. Genesis chapter 2 verses 16 and 17 now if you go and take a look at what is said there you will see that Eve’s version of what was said is slightly different than what was actually said. Now I’m not pointing this out to make Eve look wrong. My thought is maybe something got translated to her to make her think that the fruit should not even be touched. But my point of this is Adam is the one who was told not to eat it and even was the one the serpent approached. Perhaps he knew that something was not translated correctly or he knew she would be misled easily I’m not sure. This much I do know though is Adam was the one who was given the rules, and to me, that means he was the one who was meant to lead. So the serpent approaches Eve the woman knowing that her leader is out of position was crafty indeed. The other thing I noticed is the doubt the serpent implied that GOD had lied. By creating a little bit of doubt. I believe the phrase was did GOD really say? Now once he heard her response to the question he knew he had an opportunity. To plant a partial truth to redirect Eve’s thinking and in his mind ruin the whole plan. He honestly had no idea he was playing right into the whole plan. As the fruit came off the tree. I could see the serpent kind of snickering thinking I got them now. But the whole time GOD is not sitting back thinking “Oh no I didn’t see that coming.” We kind of know the rest of the story Adam ate some of it as well and we seem to call this the fall in the garden. I see this as Adam dropping the ball. He was set in a position to lead yet he let the serpent mislead his wife and allowed her to doubt what GOD had said. Maybe due to a loss in translation or maybe due to a lack of action when the serpent was speaking to Eve. Either way, he was the leader. As we continue to read on in the scripture we can see where Adam’s issue doesn’t stop there. When GOD approaches him about what had happened. He doesn’t own up and take responsibility for what happened but instead blames GOD for giving him the woman not making the situation any better. Now I could write about this portion of scripture all day and not exhaust the wealth of information that’s here. But my purpose today is to bring out one of the enemy’s tools. Getting you to doubt what GOD has said. Making you think that his way is better or true. When in fact it leads to death.
Application:
Do you struggle with the enemy’s lies? Do you ever think I’m not good enough? Or it’s never going to work this way? Or even I know that’s what GOD said but it’s just hard to believe? I can go on and on with the lies I have believed that he has told me. You’re never going to amount to anything… you can’t do it…. no one likes you… you don’t fit in… do you think anyone wants to read what you write… they don’t care… I bet they would rather you just go away… no one wants to help you… I could go on and on with the things he says in my ear trying to get me to doubt what GOD has told me to do. I made a vow a few years ago to live my faith out loud and I’m not turning back from that. I will tell you it gets difficult at times because the enemy is always shouting while GOD is just a still small whisper. As he gets louder and louder I have to focus more and more to hear the Holy Spirit. Silencing the voice of the enemy and the tool of doubt that he likes to use is very difficult at times. He has a way of making his lies look like truth. Remembering what the LORD has said about you is the key, and increase you have not read the entire Bible let’s fast forward to the temptation of Jesus after 40 days of fasting. Tired, hungry, and I’m sure ready for some food the enemy approaches HIM. With just enough of the truth to make it sound good. The one that comes to mind right off hand is Psalms chapter 91 and verse 11 where the tempter tries to use scripture to mislead the son of GOD. Leaving out just enough to make it sound good. However, he didn’t think about the fact that he was speaking to the one the book he was trying to use to mislead was written about. Jesus knew the scripture and how to wield the sword that is the word of GOD and used it to defeat the enemy and his lies. I want to tell you my goal. It’s for you to know GOD’S word so that when the enemy comes at you with all those lies the same ones he comes at me with… you know how to defend yourself. GOD’Sword. No that is not a mistake. GOD’S word is GODSword It’s the weapon HE gave us, and if you know what HE says about you… you will know how to cut the enemy off before he gets started. So let me just tell you who you are and remind myself as well. GOD loves you so much that all the way back in the beginning of the book HE gave you victory. HE said that the seed of the woman will crush the enemy’s head and the enemy will only bruise HIS heal. That’s only a starting point. But that’s where HE pronounced victory for you and me. HE goes on to call you a mighty Warrior and tell you that you are more than a conqueror. Giving you all the equipment for battles that HE has already won… all you have to do is suit up and show up to watch the giant fall. So when the enemy says are you sure you can do this step right on his neck and cut his head off with the sword of GOD. Don’t let him create doubt in you. GOD does not call the Equipped HE equips the called. GOD’S word is the sword HE has given you know it… love it but most of all use it.
Prayer:
Father, we know that you have already defeated the enemy and all his doubts and lies. You stomped on his head and gave us a victory that without you you could not have won. Thank you. This morning all we can ask you for is to write your word on our hearts. Help us to know how to use it to continue to cut the head of the enemy off. We can not kill a snake by stepping on its tail, it will only rare back and bite you. You have given us victory help us to stand with that kind of confidence. Knowing who you have made us to be. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.