“Did God really say…?”
Daily Reading: Genesis 3, Psalm 3, Matthew 3, Proverbs 3
“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’?”
Genesis 3:1
“Did God really say…?”
This sentiment is rampant in our culture today. Society is desperate that we adopt a worldly interpretation of God’s word, and then allow our beliefs to be shaped accordingly.
The enemy is crafty. He has lots of experience driving a wedge between God and his people.
When attempting to entice us to go against God’s desire for our life, when leading us down a path of sinning against God, Satan generally starts subtle. He will also approach the task at hand from a variety of angles.
Friends, family, music, social media, video games, our favorite podcast host, that news personality we have always liked and trusted, and the list goes on. All of them can be utilized by the enemy to wear us down over time until we begin to believe, “Maybe the serpent has a point.”
“Did God really say…?”
“Is this really that big of a deal if I…?”
“Does that even make sense that God would care about…?”
“What God really cares about most is…”
Slowly, slowly over time we begin to stray. We start to drift.
It doesn’t happen overnight, but suddenly we look up and we have developed beliefs and habits that may have seemed inconceivable in the not too distant past.
Proverbs 3:1-8 tells us today:
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
What would it look like for us in 2026 to keep God’s commands in your heart every day, instead of being a product of your environment and conforming to the pattern of this world?
How could life be different if we strive to not be wise in our own eyes, but to rather trust the Lord with all of our heart and submit our decisions to him, big and small?
While society attempts to sow division, fuel hate, and amplify voices that would tear us apart, what would it look like to let love and faithfulness never leave us?
Jesus wants to be part of your whole life this year.
He longs to be invited into the seemingly smallest of moments, when we are tempted to eat an apple that we know belongs left on the tree.
This year, let’s welcome him in.
Daily Reflection & Dialogue
What voices in our world have you found are the hardest to keep from drowning out the voice of God in your own life?
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