Text: Genesis 3:1 NKJV
Further Reading: Genesis 3:3:1-6
Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”
Genesis 3:1 NKJV
MESSAGE
When God made every living creature, the Bible recorded that everything God made was very good. Do you know that when God made the serpent, it was a very good creature, but later become a tool in the hand of the devil? How then can that which is good become evil? Because the enemy of your soul is watching and looking for a means to destroy you.
The mission of the devil which is to steal, kill, and destroy can be accomplished through anything or anyone. That is why as a child of God you must always be watchful. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
To achieve the devil’s odious mission, he can use what is good to even do evil. In the context of our text and reading, we saw how the enemy used the serpent to deceive Eve. But is the serpent the real enemy? No, it is the devil.
Many people out of ignorance go about pointing at their fellow humans as the enemy without identifying the real enemy. The devil can use your spouse, parents, and people who are very close to you. If there is a fellow who is usually frustrating you at work or in your community, you must register in your mind that it is the devil at work.
Take the case of Peter in Matthew 16:15-19, one moment, Peter declared by the Spirit of God, and the next moment he was an instrument in the hands of the devil. Jesus looked at Peter and said, get thee behind me Satan. Was Peter satan? No, but at that moment the enemy had taken hold of a trusted and loyal disciple of Christ.
Another example was that of Job’s wife who was influenced by the devil to curse God. That was satan’s talking point and he needs a human agent to accomplish his wicked agenda. Thank God, Job recognizes the wiles of the devil. Don’t be ignorant, the devil can use anyone or anything to accomplish his wicked agenda.
You must learn from Jesus in dealing with the devil. Jesus was not blaming Peter or accusing Peter, but He rebuked the devil. Anytime the devil comes using people or something, you must quickly identify the trick and address the devil. Instead of making people your enemy, no, the devil is your enemy and you must resist him.
REFLECTION
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
James 4:7 NKJV
You must know the real enemy and tackle him instead of facing and fighting people. Confront that enemy by the word of God and you will be victorious.
PRAYER
I submit myself to God and let every operation of satan be destroyed in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
