"Did God Really Say"

These four words are not only how sin was brought into the world but these words trip us up each and everyday.

Genesis 2:15-17 “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.”

But Satan now says

Genesis 3:1 “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

OF COURSE GOD REALLY SAID YOU MUST NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So why did Adam and Eve and you and I have doubts in our mind when we know what God says we should do but we justify another route to take?

In a devotional last week I had asked you to read Romans chapter 8 and then write to me what the first thing that God spoke to you about. Thank you for all the responses. It is amazing that of all the responses I received were all different. God is doing a different work in all of you for His perfect purpose. That is why we should not gauge our work based upon what others are doing. One response I received said

Romans 8:5 “having our mind set on what the Spirit desires. – Knowing, understanding, living by God’s will!”

Let’s look at the entire verse.

Romans 8:5 “Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

Here is why the fall of man happened. Adam and Eve and you and I had our minds set on what the sinful nature desires INSTEAD of what the Spirit of the Lord desires. In any war it is the country that has air superiority that wins the battle. Today the battle is in our minds. That is where it all starts and ends. God calls us to be controlled by the Spirit instead of our own desires. In the book of Proverbs it talks about many that hate discipline. But it is discipline that will keep you from following your sinful nature. It is not easy but when you cry out to God for help, help with come in waves.

The next time you hear Stan try to tell you “Did God really say” tell him to STOP in the name of Jesus Christ and to flee from your thoughts and presence. Make a conscious action to fight. Don’t be deceived by what you think you deserve. The battle is on; will you fight with your own tools or use the word of God, the sword of the Spirit? The choice is your. Be very careful today what you say and who you say it too. Be kind and compassionate to everyone.

Have a great day and follow Jesus.

Brad