MEDITATIONS FROM GENESIS
May 7
, 2008
Reading
“And the woman said to the serpent” Genesis 3:2
The
implication in this portion of scripture is that the serpent was an animal that
looked very different in the days of Adam and Eve than it does today. Most
theologians believe it had legs, as per verse 14, and possibly walked upright
like man or chimpanzees. For God’s curse upon it was
“You are cursed more than all cattle, and
more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall
eat dust all the days of your life” Genesis
Believe
as you will in this matter the fact is that Satan used it through which to
speak to our first parents, just as later on God spoke through the mouth of Balaam’s
ass—Numbers 22:30-31. The point of importance today is that Eve held a
discussion with it and this discussion led to the fall of man into sin as he
disobeyed the direct command of his Creator. Let us not be too critical on Eve
for this is something of which God’s people have been guilty ever since.
When
we are tempted to break the commands of God the worst thing we can do is
discuss it with the tempter which is exactly what we do when we yield to the
temptation. When we contemplate doing anything we know God does not want us to
do we are giving room to Satan to have his way in our life. The Bible is our
guide which is why it must be a vital part of a Believer’s life every day. As
we read, the Holy Spirit will teach us how to live a life that is pleasing and
glorifying to God; it then becomes our duty to obey.
Rather
than discussing the issue with Satan we are told to do just the opposite:
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the
devil and he will flee from you” James 4:7.
As
we all know, this is easier said than done, however, the more we practice
godliness the more we can follow with diligence the law of God. We will soon
recognize the things that lead us into sin. If we know that certain television programs conclude with us committing sin or encourages us to
do so, then we need to keep from watching them. If people with whom we spend
time influence us regarding the way we speak or behave that dishonors God, keep
your distance from them.
“Go from the presence of a foolish man,
when you do not perceive in him the lips of knowledge” Proverbs 14:7.
“Stop listening to teaching that
contradicts what you know is right” Proverbs
Another benefit for meditating in and
learning what the Bible teaches is that we might use it as a weapon against the
onslaughts of the devil. Compare the manner in which Jesus handled the
temptations of Satan—He defeated him by quoting the Word of God:
“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Away with you,
Satan! For it is written …’” Matthew 4:4,7,10.
“He (Jesus) steadfastly refused to enter
into any debate with the devil. He did not dally with temptation, for He had no
desire for anything but the will of God. Each time He firmly repulsed the
enemy’s advances by taking His stand on God’s Word, and concluded by thrusting
away Satan’s propositions with utmost revulsion.” Arthur W. Pink, Our Accountability to God.
The
part of man that Satan uses to his greatest advantage is his mind, his
thoughts. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” Proverbs 23:7. How
important it is therefore, for us to maintain control over our thoughts.
“In the fairest fruit may be a worm, and
in the best heart evil thoughts may arise. Did men’s hearts stand where their
faces do, they would blush to look one upon another.” Thomas Watson, The Great Gain of
Godliness.
The
enemy of souls will always seek to convince men that they may defy God without negative
ramifications, that “when he hears the words of this curse, that he blesses
himself in his heart, saying, 'I shall have peace, even though I follow the
dictates of my heart'” Deuteronomy 29:19. This is the lie of the devil. There
will be no peace in the heart of the Believer who listens to Satan’s lies for
he is the master of deceit and, apart from the strength and wisdom of God, is
no match for him.