There's a Verse for That

Eve looked at the fruit hanging from the tree. This tree was in the very middle of the garden that was their home. It's branches stretched toward the sky, and it stood higher then any other tree in the garden. It looked lush and green, bright and eager to provide it's tantalizing fruit. Oh, it looked so good, too. Ripe, bright, and practically dripping with intoxicating flavor.

Saliva gathered in her mouth as she thought about tasting that lushes fruit.

"Did God actually say, 'You shall not eat of any tree in the garden'?" Eve was brought back to the moment, and looked at her little inquisitor.

A snake.

His little eyes regarded her with actual thought, and every time he spoke, his tongue flickered out at her.

She looked up into the sun's glare. What exactly did God say about the tree?

Looking back at the snack, she half shrugged, trying to recall exactly what God had said to them. "Well, He said we may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, 'You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.'"

The snake slithered closer, his copper design standing out boldly against the blue scales. "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Eve looked back at the ripe, waiting piece of fruit nearest her. It certainly did look good for food, and it was a food that could give you the knowledge of good and evil! What could beat that?

She reached out her right hand and caressed the piece of fruit. Then she closed her hand around it, and plucked it from the branch. Slowly and surely, she brought it to her lips...

What was the worst that could happen? It would make her wise. Sounded pretty good to her.

Based on Genesis 3:1-6a

So today I wanted to talk about believing the devil's lies. Unless we know what God has spoken, and we hide His words in our heart, then it is very easy for the devil to twist what God has said and trick us.

In Genesis 2:16-17 we see what God said about the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. "And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, 'You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.'"

Wait a second. Eve seemed to think that if she even touched the fruit then she would die. She knows what God had spoken to her. Guys, do we know God's Word? Do we know what God has spoken to us personally? That one small speck of misunderstand left the door cracked open for the devil.

If we know what God has spoken, then we can face the devil like Jesus did when He was tempted. Whenever the devil came at Jesus, Jesus turned around and was all like, "There's a verse for that!" You and I need to have that same type of knowledge and understanding of the Bible. That way whenever the devil comes at us, we can be like, "I have a verse for that. Beat it, reptile."

When Eve wasn't ready and waiting to quote God's word back to the devil, he twisted what God had said, and whispered falsehood into her heart. "It's not because you'll die. It's because you'll be awesome! You'll be just like Him, and He doesn't what that for you."

Lies. Lies. Lies.

Eve wasn't focused on what God had said, so when the devil started twisting, she started believing. We can't allow that in our hearts. The devil is going to try and trick you. He is just lying in wait for the moment you aren't paying attention,  and then he will slither on over and say things in your heart causing you to doubt God. "He didn't really die for you. You're too far gone." "Why forgive that person? Hold onto your anger." "Why are you serving Him? It's just a bunch of rules and regulations." There are just so many ways for the devil to sliver into our hearts. But there is one surefire way to stop him.

"I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you." Psalm 119:11

If you will be faithful to store up God's word in your heart, and build it like a wall, then one day the devil will come slithering and find out that there's no way inside. You've got a barrier built in God, and everything he's trying to throw at you, well, you've got a verse to refute it. It will be like having an easy button.

V. Joy Palmer