Genesis 3 : 2 - 7, And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; 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.'" Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. 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." NKJV
When you're faced with a situation that challenges your faith, how do you respond? I'm not suggesting that every issue we face is the result of an attack of Satan. Having stated that fact let me say. Our adversary, the Devil seeks those that he might devour through difficult situations. Our trials (or situations) seem complex when we assess them, and it seems as if there's no easy solution. It is how we respond to these circumstances and trials that will determine how strong we are in the Word concerning them.
We read where Eve tried to ward off the serpent's initial attack by defending what God had originally said about the forbidden tree. What I would like to ask before we continue is, "How did the serpent know to ask Eve about what God had stated?" Did he hear it when God told Adam or when Adam told Eve? Why did she add to what God originally told Adam about the tree of knowledge? God told Adam simply not to eat of the tree of knowledge, but Eve told the serpent that they couldn't touch it, or they would die.
Since she disobeyed God's command, it tells us that she wasn't strong enough in that area of her heart to stand against the lies of Satan. Therefore, she gave place to doubt and succumbed to the strategies of the enemy and sinned.
Luke 4: 3 - 4, And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.'" NKJV
Once again, we read where Satan is trying to tempt someone about eating food. This time Satan met up with someone who knew God and the Word. Take notice that Jesus answered Satan with the Word exactly how it is printed. He also answered the Devil with confidence. If you will read the entire account where Eve was tempted, you will see that they argued back and forth. It wasn't that way with Jesus. Once Jesus spoke the truth and refuted the lie, it was the end of the conversation at that level of the temptation. Eve answered the serpent with doubt in her heart about God, but Jesus answered with the truth and in authority, because He knew God.
If you're facing something that you're just not confident about concerning the heart of God for you and your family, then begin to ask the Lord for wisdom. I have found that we can make our worst decisions when we don't have all the facts on the table. We're also warned in Hosea 6 that God's people are destroyed because they lack knowledge.
Satan pushed Eve and Jesus to respond. If you're in a situation, and you don't have peace (green light from God), then don't be pushed around by Satan. Be still before the Lord and seek His wisdom; He will direct your steps. When we allow our flesh nature to push us to go ahead and give an answer without God's peace, the results are usually disastrous.
If this word has ministered to your particular situation would you let me know what God has done for you through it?
Waiting on God's Wisdom,
Pastor Asa
"Once Jesus spoke the truth and refuted the lie, it was the end of the conversation at that level of the temptation. Jesus answered with the truth and in authority, because He knew God. "
ReplyDeleteThose are powerful lines. This helped me. My pastor was speaking about this a few Sundays ago: speak with authority. It is so important, but we cannot speak in full confidence if we do not know God or do not know who we are in Jesus. That's why it is essential, as you mentioned, to have wisdom. Wisdom gives us power and strength (Proverbs 24:5).