So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6
Adam and Eve were living in the Garden of Eden.
Spectacular food, unspoiled by death or disease.
Can you imagine how flavorful it was?
Probably beyond our wildest dreams.
Gorgeous scenery.
Lounging animals.
No schedules or work demands.
Talking with God every evening.
Just the two of them in paradise.
For how long had they been enjoying God’s creation?
Not sure. But it definately ended abruptly.
There were two trees alone in their glory: the tree of life and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
The Bible clearly states the second tree was off limits. Completely.
No eating from the knowledge of good and evil tree.
It was God’s protection over them.
One day a serpent opened its mouth and talked to Eve.
Was that unusual? Having an animal or reptile talk to you?
Eve doesn’t act surprised. In fact she listens to what it has to say.
Eve had all the knowledge of God’s goodness surrounding her each and every day.
She talked with God every day.
Yet she chose to believe the serpent instead.
The serpent told her the forbidden tree would make her wise like God.
When those words were spoken, Eve’s eyes were convinced of its truth.
She saw the tree as good for her.
She saw a lie as truth.
What lies do you see as truth?
Lies about yourself? Others? Your future?
Eve didn’t consult Adam. She merely repeated the lie as fact.
And Adam believed it, too.
Instead of consulting each other and then asking God, who created all things, they believed a lie.
True, they did not understand lies existed, as they lived in a perfectly created world.
But the words went against all God had spoken to them.
Ask God today what lies you currently believe as truth.
Seek His truth over all things in your carnal mind.
We don’t have the luxury of living in the Garden of Eden.
But we do have access to God.
He wants to talk with you every day, too.
Filter your thoughts with His, seeing through Satan’s sneaky lies.
The demon in charge, whose name escapes me, is upset.
He’s a champion for the dark side.
Here is his rant.
I am discouraged. First the overturn of Roe vs Wade.
Good grief, it was so utterly easy deceiving Americans for almost 50 years now.
Guess we relaxed our efforts too much, thinking the law would never change.
Who would have thought those Christian prayers would ever really help?
I sure didn’t. Especially not after this long.
Time to work on the states. Surely most will keep choosing death. They think it’s a choice, but I know the truth.
What? The court decided coaches can now pray after a public school game?
On the field? In public? Like out in the open? Are they crazy?
Need to ramp up the violence. Let’s concentrate on the cities with less police protection.
What about the Christians? I’m not worried. I know how to get them.
Let’s take him over there.
I know him well. He looks spiritual, but underneath, he’s a mess.
He’s full of self-pity, one of my favorites. Tends to affect him every night about 7pm.
Becomes morose thinking of his family. I know how to stoke that.
Sometimes, he doesn’t crumble under the lies, because he prays, bringing the power of God into the room.
Not tonight. I got this.
Look – he’s thinking of his family. I’m going to plant a doubt, telling him they don’t care a whit about him.
Neither does his wife. Good. He’s quite upset. Perfect.
Let’s keep going, as this is quite fun.
I’ll whisper, ‘You’re nothing. You’re old and it’s almost over anyway, so what does it matter…’
Haha, good. He bought it. Closed his eyes and tried to escape.
He’s done for the night. Who else can I torment? Time’s wasting.
Now we will peak into his evening as the demon in charge, whose name escapes me, determines the next assignment.
“Who’s got her?” shouted the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.
“I have her, sir,” answered a tiny demon with a large voice.
“Excellent, #2”, replied the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.
“Want me to apply the usual tools, sir?” asked the tiny demon with the large voice.
“Yes, #2. Full report when you are done,” answered the demon in charge, whose name escapes me.
Running to the girl, demon #2 assessed the situation.
He saw her sitting at the table, heads in her hands. It was late. He saw no one else up.
“Fabulous!! She’s staying up past her children and husband. She’s all alone, ready for my thoughts,” declared demon #2 with a large voice, although he whispered not wanting to disturb her.
Whispering into her head, demon #2 said, “You’re right. No one ever cares. Certainly not your family. They couldn’t care less about you. You might as well leave. Would they even notice your absence? They could live totally fine without you. You are not needed. You are useless. You are stupid.”
Sitting back, demon #2 witnessed her reaction. While the words began to take affect, she started to cry. Confirming the lies from demon #2, she agreed with his words, blowing her nose from the tears, which were beginning to flow from her weepy eyes.
The angels were stirred. Immediately, they circled her, knowing her heart and loyalty to God. They began to whisper God’s truth, combating every lie from demon #2.
Demon #2 sat up, scared. “Crap, they are negating my lies.” Immediately, he began to whisper more lies into her head.
Suddenly, the girl was aware of two trains of thoughts entering her head: the angels and demon #2.
Burring her face into her hands, demon #2 thought he had won. He started to celebrate, a smile erupting on his ugly face.
All of a sudden, the girl yelled, “NO.” She began agreeing with the angels, opening her bible to read. Her lips declared the name above all names, “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.”
Demon #2 shrank back in fear, recoiling from that powerful name.
Immediately, he ran back to his nest, more comfortable among the evil comrades.
“Back so soon?” asked the demon in charge, whose name escapes me. That demon was certain of demon #2’s triumph.
Shuttering in fear, demon #2 replied, “Sir, she was helped by the angels from On High. They came and I didn’t know what to do. She began agreeing with them. And sir…she even declared that name. Jesus.”
“NOOOO,” cried the demon in charge, whose name escapes me. “Next time, I will personally accompany you. We must not let that girl out of our grip. She’s too important. Her mission from God MUST be accosted no matter what. Do you understand me?” He roared in anger.
And that ends our story. Demon #2 went on to worry about the next assignment. The demon in charge, whose name escapes me, went on a giant rant for a long time, certain to pull out all stops the next time he could encounter the girl.
The girl remained in her home, unaware, or partly aware of the spiritual battle swirling around her. Knowing she needed to remain whole, she began to pray deep in her heart, wanting to remain always loyal to Him, deciding from then on to listen closely only to His voice.
Are you loyal to Him? What might the dark side say to you when visiting your thoughts? Will you choose to believe God’s truth today and always?
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today”, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:12-13
Satan rarely enters with a bang.
He rarely announces his presence, coming through our choices instead.
It’s usually one choice.
That leads you to another.
And another.
And another.
And before you know it, you don’t recognize the path anymore as you’ve veered away from God.
It’s rarely fast; it’s usually slow.
So slow, you don’t even notice.
Panic from not studying, you glance at your friend’s test paper.
Just one look.
Just one answer.
Never again, you tell yourself.
That was easy.
Next time, it’s even easier.
Justified in your mind.
You sneak a pack of gum into your pocket without paying.
At home, the gum doesn’t taste as good as you thought, but it was free.
The next time it’s easier.
Justified in your mind.
You start spending alone time with a person of the opposite gender.
Lots of time.
But you’re married.
The friendship grows.
Becomes more.
One day at a time.
Justified in your mind.
Satan rarely announces the wrecking of your life.
The justification he wants you to follow.
How do we keep doing exactly what God wants us to do?
We must weigh everything with Him.
Ask Him.
Ask Him about everything.
He’s always right there, wanting to help you.
I Peter 5:18 reminds us to Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
It’s possible to love God and remain passive.
I’ve seen it multiple times as little sins become big, building up and refusing to leave as pride takes over common sense.
Lord, may we seek Your will in all we do.
Please guide us into Your plans and give us Your wisdom for every little thing.
Amy Linnea 
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