BE CAREFUL TO NOT BE DECIEVED BY SATAN TODAY.

2 Corinthians 2:11

“so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

One of his tactics is to call God’s character and motives into question by raising doubts about His Word.

He used that approach in the Garden of Eden, when he said to Eve, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1). In one brief statement Satan disputed and distorted God’s Word. God didn’t forbid them to eat from any tree.

They could eat freely from every tree except one: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (2:16-17).

Satan followed his distortion with an outright denial of God’s Word: “You surely shall not die!” (3:4). He implied that God lied when He said that sin will result in death. Satan then went on to tell Eve that if she ate the fruit, she would in fact become like God Himself

(v. 5).

The implication is that God was withholding something good from Eve, and to keep her from seeking it, He intimidated her with empty threats of death and judgment.

Do you see the insidious ( proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects) nature of Satan’s approach?

Tragically, Eve didn’t. Rather than trusting and obeying God, she believed Satan’s lies and concluded that the tree was good for food, a delight to the eyes, and desirable to make one wise. Then “she took from its fruit and ate” (v. 6).

Satan deceives and spreads his lies from generation to generation (2 Corinthians 11:14). Although he is subtle, his attempts to discredit God by disputing, distorting, and denying His Word should be obvious to discerning Christians.

Don’t be victimized by Satan’s attacks. Become strong in the Word through systematic Bible study. Be faithful to a true local church that teaches, preaches and practices the Word of God. Yield to the Spirit’s control through prayer and obedience to biblical principles.

You DO NOT have to be a victim of Satan’s deception that will lead to discouragement and have you on the verge of doubting and giving up on God.

Believe God! Trust God! Obey God! Wait on God! He has not deserted you! He does care! He will see you through any and every valley and trial!!!