“Yea”
Text: Genesis 3:1
Intro:
Notice with me that the first word that the devil speaks in the scriptures is “Yea” or “”Yes” in his temptation of Eve.
What can we learn from this?
Temptation to sin and sin itself is always going to be presented by the devil as “positive.”
The devil will never, ever show you the negative side of sin.
He will only present the positive side.
This morning from the scriptures I want us to look at some examples of the devil’s positive presentation of sin.
I. David and Bathsheba
See 2 Samuel 11:1-5
Notice v. 2, the word “beautiful”
“Beautiful” is a positive word is it not?
You see my friend the devil will never show you the ugly side of the sin.
The fact that “the wages of sin is death”
The fact that “whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.”
The fact that “A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.”
II. Achan
See Joshua 7:19-21
Notice v. 21, “goodly”
“goodly” is a positive word
The devil will never show you the bad side of sin.
The fact that Israel would lose the battle at Ai.
The fact that Achan and his family would be stoned to death.
III. Lot
See Genesis 13:5-13
Notice v. 10 “well watered”
“well” is a positive word.
Another word for “well” is “favorable”
Lot looked at the plains of Jordan and saw the favorable conditions of the land.
He did not care it was in the direction of Sodom and Gommorah
The devil will never show you the unfavorable side of sin.
The fact that Lot would end up back slide and living in the land of homosexuality was rampant.
The fact that he would lose his married daughters and his wife.
The fact that he would end up in a cave drunk and committing incest with his two single daughters.
IV. Eve
See Genesis 3:1-7
Notice v. 6.
“good” – positive
“pleasant” – positive
“wise” – positive
You see my friend the devil will always present sin as
Something “good” for you,
Something that you will enjoy (pleasant)
The smart choice (wise)
The devil will never show you the negative side of sin.
The fact that “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:”
V. Some Other Comments
The devil will always present the things of God in a negative light and ways is a positive way.
How do you think the devil got the Holy Bible, prayer, and the ten commandments thrown out of our public schools?
Because he presented it this way –
1) It will be for the good of the country because not everyone believes the same way.
It will show us to be a country that is tolerant and accepting of other beliefs.
2) It will make our schools a more pleasant environment because non-Christians won’t feel like they are being discriminated against.
It will promote an atmosphere of unity.
3) It is the wise thing to do.
It is the smart thing to do.
After all that is what the psychologists tell us and they certainly know more than we do.
They must be right because they have a PhD.
You can take Satan’s positive presentation of sin and see how he has used it to destroy the moral fiber of our nation.
Just look what it has produced
Abortion (murder) Negative vs. Woman’s Right to choice – Positive
Divorce – Negative vs. Extra marital affair – Positive
Sodomy (queers) – Negative vs. Alternative Lifestyle – Positive
My friend the devil hasn’t change a bit.
He still uses the same approach on you and me.
The Power of Positive Thinking – Sin is positive.
That is why we see for example –
Believers marrying non-believers
Women preachers and women run churches
Speaking in tongues
Churches no longer taking a stand on the AV1611, (after all the wise or intellectual thing is used one of the modern versions.)
Christian women dressing like harlots and Christian men like pimps
Pastors falling to adultery
Single Christians living in sin.
No more preaching against sin.
Worldly music in the churches in the guise of CCM.
We have seen examples in the scripture of people who fell for Satan’s positive presentation of sin.
However, praise God! we have examples of those who didn’t.
Joseph who was tempted by Potiphar’s wife to lie with her.
See Genesis 39:7-13
Notice Joseph’s response to Satan’s presentation in v. 9.
“how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?”
Daniel when he was tempted to eat of the heathen king’s meat and drink of his wine.
See Daniel response Daniel 1:8.
Conclusion:
You see my friend God needs men and women who when the devil tempts them with the positive side of sin they will cry out as Joseph did, “how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” and flee the temptation
God needs men and women who are purposed in their heart, determined like Daniel not to defile themselves with the things of this world.
I challenge you today!
Will you be a Christian who is purposed in their heart to live for the Lord?
Will you be a Christian who sees sin as God sees it as “great wickedness” – negative?
Will you be a Christian who when tempted will flee and get yourself out?
