God's Wisdom In A Nutshell

There was a point in my life that I questioned if the Devil really existed.  I also wondered if Hell was a real place where we are eternally separated from God. How could someone be sentence to hell if they didn’t know they were sinning?  I figured that if a person didn’t know they were sinning they’re okay, right?

Wrong. God “hard wires” all of us to have an innate ability to know right from wrong.

“This is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the LORD. “I will put my laws in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Jer 31:33) 

It  didnt take long in my Bible search to find the truth about the devil and hell.   The Devil, also referred to as Satan or the Serpent, is alive and well and his sole purpose is to entice us to follow him into sin. He was introduced to us in the very first book of the Bible in the story of Adam and Eve. I learned very quickly that yes, the Devil is for real.

When Adam and Eve were in the Garden of Eden, the Lord told them that they could eat from any of the beautiful fruit trees EXCEPT the tree in the center of the garden called “the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”  As Adam and Eve were enjoying themselves, the Serpent enters the scene and he questioned Eve; he said to her, “did God really say you could not eat from that tree?”

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”(Gen 3:1 NIV)

This, my friends, is how the devil works every time.  He questions you.  He wants you to doubt what you know in your heart to be true.  You start to second guess what you know! You start to believe that the sin all around you isn’t sin at all! You start to believe those who are loudest and talking the longest, not those who have wisdom.

In the same way that the Devil questioned Eve, people in our lives- people in the media, actors with a platform, movie and T.V producers who make sin look enticing- are all considered “the Serpent” in our lives.  These people are living in darkness, separated from God and are subtly asking us the same question, “Did God really say you couldn’t…”

Just insert the things that entice you.  We all have something that we should live without or  something we should change. This is our weak point and the Devil knows what it is.  He will send people into our lives to entice us and to lure us away from following what we know to be true about God.

The Devil begins by having you doubt the teachings of Jesus. Then, after you start to question the Lord’s teachings, Satan knows he has a foothold on your thinking and can start to inch his way in to your life, luring you to make choices that are against the will of God. Making choices opposed to God’s teachings will result in unhappiness, broken relationships, discouragement, depression, apathy as well as missing additional blessings that God gives for being obedient. The worst outcome of following the Devil is spiritual death- being separated from God and all of His goodness-which happens when we repeatedly refuse to do what we know is right.

“When tempted, no one should say God is tempting me, for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desires and enticed. Then, as the desire is conceived it gives birth to sin; and when sin is full grown, it gives birth to death.” (James 1:13-16)

Another negative aspect of being enticed to follow Satan, is that when we make decisions that are opposed to God’s teachings, He isn’t obligated to protect you.  Let me state that again. God isn’t obligated to protect you where He hasn’t lead you.  So as you start to questions the Lord’s teachings and make decisions based on your feelings- you are stepping out from His umbrella of protection and you will be receiving the consequences of your actions. Some consequences are wicked and usually have a negative impact on more than just your life.

If you decide to be a believer and follower of the Lord’s teachings, you will be back under His umbrella, safe and secure. “The Lord is faithful, He will strengthen you and protect you from the Evil one.” (2 Thes 3:3) 

Read the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. This son lived wildly, spent his inheritance and became destitute and very unhappy. God could have lead the prodigal son to someone who would employ him, so that he wasn’t destitute, but the Lord chose not to do that.  God was allowing the consequences of this son’s actions to fully impact him so that he could see the error of his ways. It wasn’t until the prodigal son decided to go back to his father and live as his father directs, that he was happy, fulfilled and safe. We are all prodigal “sons” and our heavenly Father is always waiting for us with open arms to welcome us back into a peaceful life.

Fill your mind with the Word of God because this will protect you from the lures of Satan that are all around us. Get yourself on the path of righteousness – which means being in right standing with God- by following God’s teachings.  At this point you can relax and enjoy your life without worry about your future because you know the Lord is directing your steps.  He will provide for you and protect you as you stay close to Him. This is our Garden of Eden.

God’s Promise:

“So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help  you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”(Isaiah 41:10)

Music For Your Soul:

“Whom Shall I Fear?” by Chris Tomlin.