Devotionals
“Now the serpent was the most cunning of all the wild animals that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, You can't eat from any tree in the garden’" (Genesis 3:1)?
Eve…What was she thinking that day in the garden? Did she plan that day to ruin her life? Did she intend to destroy her family’s future? Did she set out with the goal of spoiling paradise for all humanity? I really don’t think so, but that still leaves us with a question. What was her plan? What was her goal? How did she approach her day? Matthew 7:13 warns us that, “…the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction…” This episode in Genesis was Satan’s first exhibition of the wide gate and the broad road. He led Eve down it with the art of subtle conversation. “Did God really say, You can't eat from any tree in the garden?”
Subtle conversation…we hear it every day, on the radio, on television, in newspapers and magazines, in restaurants and coffee shops, and in the every lunchroom, break room, locker room, and classroom across America. Subtle conversations that should bring to our remembrance the knowledge of God’s Word, and the necessity of a Godly response. Yet somehow we do not recognize the intent; we fail to understand the significance; and we miss the opportunity to do what we know is right. You see, Eve’s problem was not hearing God’s Word; it was heeding God’s Word. "…We may eat the fruit from the trees in the garden. But about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden, God said, 'You must not eat it or touch it, or you will die'" (Genesis 3:2-3). Satan offered a subtle detour to the broad road, and Eve willingly stepped away from the truth of God simply by engaging in the conversation.
Satan’s distractions are hugely successful in taking your focus off the things of God. If Jesus is your Lord, then your focus should be on serving Him. Believe me, God has a plan for your life today (Psalms 37:23). He has a plan for your life every day. The question is: will you stay focused on that plan and see it through; or will you allow Satan to distract you with subtle conversation, and then follow his distracted train of thought until it reaches its conclusion? I warn you now, the conclusion of Satan’s distraction is always sin. His purpose is to stop you from accomplishing the task that God has given you. What will you do when your time comes? How will you respond to Satan’s subtle invitation? Do you have a plan?
If you choose to fight, then God has given you a powerful weapon. Joshua 1:8 says, “This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night, so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” God has given you His Word. The plan is for you to meditate on it day and night. This is the method God uses to order your steps and reveal to you His plan for your day (Psalms 37:23). It is obedience in this area that allows God to pour out His blessing on your day.
Psalms 63:1 says, “God, You are my God; I eagerly seek You. I thirst for You; my body faints for You in a land that is dry, desolate, and without water.” Do you hunger and thirst for God’s Word? The simple act of going out into the world for school, or work, or entertainment should give you a thirst for the Word just as exercise gives you a thirst for water. The very fact that you thirst for the Word is evidence that God is at work in your life. James 3:1 urges us to have one master, not many. Have one priority, God; and allow him to allocate the other things that beg for your time and attention. When God is the author of the plan for your day, Satan has little chance of distracting you; and God has every opportunity to bless you.
May God’s grace, mercy, and peace fall on you today.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible® Copyright© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Holman CSB®, and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
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Although you spelled it out with other words...disobedience or disobeying God can lead to sin. We fail when we disobey God and what is written in His word and it gives birth to sin. Also - I have a question???? Why should anyone need permission to quote the bible from a publisher? Except to note the translation, I think that you or any other writer is fine when quoting scipture? [email protected]
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