The Strategy of Deception
Chapter 1 -- Pages 32-39
As we revisit the Garden in the Land of Eden, we learn that the next words that come from the mouth of the serpent demonstrate an out-and-out attack on God and His Truth.
Genesis 3:4-5, "Then the serpent said to the woman, 'You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.'"
God had told the couple that they would surely die if they ate of the one tree (Genesis 2:17). In complete opposition, Satan told the woman that she would not die, thereby calling God a liar.
God personifies Truth. Deuteronomy 32:4, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He."
Satan is made up of lies; therefore, truth does not abide in him. "He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. (John 8:44)
We must remember that Satan does not want our best. On the contrary, he wants to destroy us! And he begins in our minds...
So What Did the Woman Do?
In the first place, Eve listened to the lie. Listening to things that are not true is the first step toward ultimate bondage and death.
Next, she began to dwell on it. She engaged the enemy in conversation and began to think about what he said.
After that, the woman began to believe what he had told her. Even though his words clearly contradicted what God has already said, she believed him.
Finally, she acted on the lie. Beliefs produce behavior!
Do you identify with Eve?
If you identify with Eve, believe me, you're not alone! Satan keeps using the same strategy because it works. And we are not the exceptions to the rule.
There is a way to move from bondage to freedom, and we'll talk about that next time. Meanwhile, pray that the Lord would reveal to you the areas in your life of bondage or sinful behavior. Thank Him for making you aware of Satan's strategy, and ask Him to bring you to the place of recognizing the lie for what it is.
Romans 8:37, "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
God loves you and is giving you grace to make it through.
Love, Karen
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Knowing Your Enemy
Prologue and Chapter 1 -- Pages 27-32
It all started in the Garden of Eden. You know the familiar story.
Two human beings lived on earth at that time, a husband and his spouse, and their dwelling place was Eden. The one animal described as extremely cunning lived there, too, and he went right up to Eve. His goal was to challenge her belief system with a question designed to make her doubt. He was the devil.
"Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"
His mission was accomplished and her uncertainty spread because of the question he asked. The story goes on and we'll examine it carefully as the weeks pass, but for now let's look at the method used by Satan to drive a wedge between God and His creatures.
The devil rightly assumed that the man and woman were not likely to support anything that appeared to be an all-out assault on God. He knew that, instead, he would have to subtly trick them, to deceive them, to seduce them by making an offer that appeared to be reasonable -- you know, not entirely "anti-God."
This is the way Satan operates. This mode of operation springs out of his character, which is diabolical, deliberate and planned. Let's see what the Bible has to say in regard to the creature in the garden:
John 8:44, "[The Devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."
2 Corinthians 11:14, "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."
1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
A Very Real Enemy
Satan is a very real enemy and he would like nothing better than to make you and me ineffective for the Lord and His Kingdom. The question we should ask ourselves is, "How can we discern the difference between Truth and deception?
Lord, help us as we contemplate these things. Help us to stay in Your Word and to be aware of the truth that no matter how powerful the enemy is, You are more powerful. Amen.
It all started in the Garden of Eden. You know the familiar story.
Two human beings lived on earth at that time, a husband and his spouse, and their dwelling place was Eden. The one animal described as extremely cunning lived there, too, and he went right up to Eve. His goal was to challenge her belief system with a question designed to make her doubt. He was the devil.
"Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?"
His mission was accomplished and her uncertainty spread because of the question he asked. The story goes on and we'll examine it carefully as the weeks pass, but for now let's look at the method used by Satan to drive a wedge between God and His creatures.
The devil rightly assumed that the man and woman were not likely to support anything that appeared to be an all-out assault on God. He knew that, instead, he would have to subtly trick them, to deceive them, to seduce them by making an offer that appeared to be reasonable -- you know, not entirely "anti-God."
This is the way Satan operates. This mode of operation springs out of his character, which is diabolical, deliberate and planned. Let's see what the Bible has to say in regard to the creature in the garden:
John 8:44, "[The Devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."
2 Corinthians 11:14, "And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."
1 Peter 5:8, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."
A Very Real Enemy
Satan is a very real enemy and he would like nothing better than to make you and me ineffective for the Lord and His Kingdom. The question we should ask ourselves is, "How can we discern the difference between Truth and deception?
Lord, help us as we contemplate these things. Help us to stay in Your Word and to be aware of the truth that no matter how powerful the enemy is, You are more powerful. Amen.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Lies Women Believe and The Truth That Sets Them Free
The Power of The Truth
Introduction -- Pages 15-23
John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
The Lord Jesus speaks to us Himself when He explains that He has a different life for us. It's different from what we've known; it's different from what we now see with our eyes; it's different from what we might think we deserve.
There is freedom in Christ. And even though you may not be experiencing it now, you know in your heart that it's true.
Do you find yourself just existing, coping, surviving, or struggling along? The problem is that you have believed a lie, one of any number of lies in Satan's arsenal. Oh, you don't have to believe all of his lies; in fact, many of us would probably pride ourselves on not believing many of his lies.
But there may be just one, just one little lie hanging like a luscious piece of fruit, one little lie that we have picked and eaten.
John 8:31-36, "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'
They answered Him, 'We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?'
Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.'"
Have you given up hope that you could ever be free?
Then, this Bible Study is for you! It's not too late for you to join us this Wednesday morning at 9:30 at the Jumpstart Building.
We're going to examine the Truth of God's Word every week. We're also going to fellowship together because it helps to know that we're not in this alone. We need each other and we need the Lord to help us apply His principles to our lives.
You will experience life-change as a result. I guarantee it!
Love, Karen
Introduction -- Pages 15-23
John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
The Lord Jesus speaks to us Himself when He explains that He has a different life for us. It's different from what we've known; it's different from what we now see with our eyes; it's different from what we might think we deserve.
There is freedom in Christ. And even though you may not be experiencing it now, you know in your heart that it's true.
Do you find yourself just existing, coping, surviving, or struggling along? The problem is that you have believed a lie, one of any number of lies in Satan's arsenal. Oh, you don't have to believe all of his lies; in fact, many of us would probably pride ourselves on not believing many of his lies.
But there may be just one, just one little lie hanging like a luscious piece of fruit, one little lie that we have picked and eaten.
John 8:31-36, "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'
They answered Him, 'We are Abraham’s descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can You say, ‘You will be made free’?'
Jesus answered them, 'Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.'"
Have you given up hope that you could ever be free?
Then, this Bible Study is for you! It's not too late for you to join us this Wednesday morning at 9:30 at the Jumpstart Building.
We're going to examine the Truth of God's Word every week. We're also going to fellowship together because it helps to know that we're not in this alone. We need each other and we need the Lord to help us apply His principles to our lives.
You will experience life-change as a result. I guarantee it!
Love, Karen
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Here We Go!
You have found the official ASPIRE blog! Thank you for joining me.
I'll be blogging once or twice a week throughout the 2009-2010 school year. If you're unable to attend the weekly Bible study at the Jumpstart Building on Wednesday mornings, then I invite you to follow along with me right here!
If you ARE able to make it to the Bible study, then the invitation is for you, too. Hopefully, you'll be encouraged throughout the weeks to walk out the promises of God -- to hold fast to the Truth of His Word -- and to ASPIRE to be all you were designed to be in Christ.
"But take careful heed to do the commandment...to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul,” Joshua 22:5.
I'll be blogging once or twice a week throughout the 2009-2010 school year. If you're unable to attend the weekly Bible study at the Jumpstart Building on Wednesday mornings, then I invite you to follow along with me right here!
If you ARE able to make it to the Bible study, then the invitation is for you, too. Hopefully, you'll be encouraged throughout the weeks to walk out the promises of God -- to hold fast to the Truth of His Word -- and to ASPIRE to be all you were designed to be in Christ.
"But take careful heed to do the commandment...to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul,” Joshua 22:5.
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