Read: Genesis 3:1-7
Memory Verse: II Corinthians 11:3
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
In Genesis 3 the devil told Eve three lies. He still uses those same lies to deceive us today. We need to be aware of his lies so we don’t fall as Eve did.
Lie #1 – “Hath God said…” This lie was subtle. Clever. All the serpent had to do was twist God’s words, and he completely changed the meaning of God’s command. In this one lie, God went from being a generous, loving provider into a harsh taskmaster.
The truth is exactly the opposite of what Satan said. In Genesis 2:16 God “commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat.” The truth is that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” (James 1:17)
God has provided us with so many wonderful gifts for us to enjoy. The few restrictions that he places on those gifts are for our benefit. Satan wants us to focus on what we can’t do instead of on what we can do.
Have you been listening to this lie of the devil? We are bombarded with messages every day about how we should not be satisfied with what we have and we are somehow missing out on all of the “fun” the world is having. There are “pleasures of sin for a season” (Hebrews 11:25) but there is greater joy in the blessings that God has provided for us.
Meditation for the Day: What are some of the blessings that God has given us to freely enjoy? Why does God put some restrictions on these blessings?
Assignment: Make a running list of all of the “good gifts” of God that He has given you to enjoy.
For Fun: Buy some special fruit that you really like but don’t normally get. Enjoy it as a gift from God!