Daily Devotionals for Women - Today's Encouraging Word from Scripture

ACTUALLY?!

He (Satan) said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1

You’re kids, you don’t like a certain rule, you both want to break it, so you’re looking for an excuse. The only way is to review what your parent originally said, to see if there is a tiny loophole. “Well, did she actually say we had to be home by 5:00?” The word ‘actually’ introduces shades of disrespect but the truth is, one kid might as well say to the other, “I want to disobey but if I’m caught, I want to be able to say to my mother, ‘But you didn’t say the word _______________.’” I think the rule is stupid anyway.

All Eve had ever known was love and respect for God. There had been no tone, no rolling of the eyes. Satan knew that if he came to Eve with something overt, “You should hate that God of yours. How about disobeying?” She’d never buy that. Instead, he knew he must come and whisper in her ear and appeal to her pride and ego.

His agenda of discrediting God is still his highest priority. He is a liar. He speaks lies by default. His native language is lies. The devil does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Jn 8:44 If he can get me to believe that God is ‘actually’ not that loving, or fair, or forgiving, or good, or caring…then my ability to trust God is eroded. Intimacy is destroyed.

Expect the whispers. Be prepared with an answer.

“Yeah, God forgives. That’s what the Bible says. But do you feel forgiven? You should know He can’t forgive you for that!”
“If God really loved you, he’d have delivered you by now.”
“You’ve been praying and praying for this. But has God answered? No!”
“You just aren’t very good at this! Sally is, though. God must love her more to give her such a gift.”
“He’s not going to change. How long have you prayed for him? He’s been like this too long to change now!”

Whispers of distrust. How dangerous. No one should question God’s character and God’s intentions. Anyone who does, whether human or a spiritual enemy, should be treated the same. I rise up, quote scripture about who God says He is and what He’s promised to do, and I defend the One who has not done one thing that is not for my good.

I put on my belt of truth and declare that I will be listening for lies. I won’t be passive when I hear them. I will deflect each one with the shield of faith. Amen.

For more from Christine Wyrtzen and Jaime Wyrtzen Lauze, please visit www.daughtersofpromise.org