Did God Really Say ______ ?

I hate satan. I even refuse to capitalize his disgusting little name. The Bible says he prowls the earth seeking to kill, steal, and destroy - and he does. I will give him props on one thing - he is consistent. He uses the same argument with us today as he did with Eve in the garden. Genesis 3:1 says, "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'?" Many of us think of Eve as stupid because she didnt see right through satans plan, but the truth is we are no better than she is - she was just the first one to fall for it. Actually, when you think about it, we should give Eve the benefit of the doubt because she didn't know that he wanted to harm her. We know what he is about and we still fall for his little schemes. (I hate to think of the times I have let satan take over my better judgement).

He might be the prince of this world, but he really doesn't have to be very intelligent to outsmart most of us. He is still using the same tactics he used on Eve. How many times has he whispered in your ear 'Did God really say ____________(you fill in the blank)?" For instance, 'Did God really say you should give 10 % to His church or is it okay to count the time you spend serving in your tithe?' How about 'Did God really say you shouldnt gossip after all you are just telling the truth?' Or maybe 'Did God really say you should be holy because He is holy, because who could live up to His standards anyway'? I could go on and on 'Did God really say not to be drunk with wine, not to give in to impure thoughts, not to gamble, to be a good steward of your time and money, you have to love your neighbor, to forgive everyone? The list is endless and unique to each of us, but the question remains the same - 'Did God really say....?

Those are just a few of the common arguments satan uses on God's people. There are so many more little areas he uses the 'Did God really say?" arguments with us and he makes us question the truths God has laid out for us in His Word. We think we are so smart, yet when satan whispers in our ear, we question the Shepherd and follow satan like sheep. The old saying "There is nothing new under the sun" is so true. The devil knows that Jesus is 'The Truth' so, he get us to sin by making us question what we know to be true. (Does that make sense?) One thing is for sure, the liar and deceiver is still at work with us just like he was at work in the garden. And I hate him!