"He’s Got The Last Word”

The first word that came from the mouth of God when we were created was the word “good!” The serpent’s words however was “you shall be like God” on Adam and Eve which still reverberates on us, Christians of today. He wants us to believe on God and be like God.... to live independently from God. It was his idea and he failed. Just as he failed, the devil’s schemes back-fired on him, that is why he wanted that man would also fail just like him. But, God had the final say just as the Apostle John said, “....friends, that’s exactly who we are: children of God. And that’s only the beginning. Who knows how we’ll end up! What we know is that when Christ is openly revealed, we’ll see him—and in seeing him, become like him. All of us who look forward to his Coming stay ready, with the glistening purity of Jesus’ life as a model for our own.” (1 John 3:2 The Msg).

God had the first word on us and Jesus has the final words....

6-7 So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; He will promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; He is most careful with you.

8-11 Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch you napping. Keep your guard up. You’re not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith. The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, He does. (1 Peter 5:6,8 -Msg)

1- You shall be LIKE GOD:

Satan said these words “to persuade our first parents that they should, by eating of this fruit, become wise and powerful as God, (for knowledge is power), and be able to exist for ever, independently of Him.” ( Clarke’s Commentary ).

Here we see the heart of Satan.... He wants to be like God and he uses the tempting deceptions of self-will, self-sovereignty, and self-rule to replace God’s will, God's sovereignty, and God's rule with his lies.

Note that in those lies is an appeal to Adam and Eve to be like God, to be independent of God. Satan knew that if he implanted those words in their hearts, he would gain possession, position over them just what Jesus had said; “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in Me, and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5NIV)

SATAN USES AN APPEAL TO PERSONAL POWER AND/OR GLORY, but God wouldn’t let us go and be separated from Him! Here’s a good illustration I have read in ministry127.com illustrations, “On a hot summer day in south Florida a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.

In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.

His mother, in the house, was looking out the window and saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, she ran toward the water, yelling to her son as loudly as she could. Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.

It was too late. Just as he reached her, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two.

The alligator was much stronger than the mother, but the mother was much too passionate to let go.

A farmer happened to drive by, heard her screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived.

His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.

The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs; and then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my mom wouldn’t let go.”