Will, we must, “…be strong in the LORD and in HIS MIGHTY POWER. Put on the FULL ARMOR OF GOD, so that you can TAKE YOUR STAND, WILL against the devil’s schemes (methodeia: an orderly, logical, successful arrangement). For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:10-12) Now Will, the devil’s logic is always somehow laced with lies. Jesus told the scribes and the Pharisees, “You are of your father the devil…when he speaks a lie, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the FATHER OF LIES.” (John 8:44)
Now the serpent was more shrewd than any beast which the LORD God made. And he said to Eve, “Has God said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden‘?” the woman said, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.‘ “ Then the serpent said, “YOU WILL NOT DIE.” (Genesis 3:1-4) Just to be sure, what did God say? “…of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it YOU SHALL SURELY DIE.“ (Genesis 2:17) The Lord was talking about a “spiritual” death. I think the devil cunningly spoke to Eve about a “physical” death. Of course, the devil said God loves you TOO MUCH TO KILL YOU EVE. The Lord told Samuel “..rebellion is as THE SIN of witchcraft, And stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry.” (1 Samuel 15:23)
The devil went on to say, “…God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, you will be LIKE GOD, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5) Later on God inspired John to write, “Do not love the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the LUST of the flesh, the LUST of the eyes, and the PRIDE of life—is NOT OF THE FATHER but is of the world.” (1 John 2:15-16). So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh), that it was pleasant to the eyes (lust of the eyes), and a tree desirable to make one wise (pride of life), she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband WITH HER, and HE ATE.” (Genesis 3:5-6) When the Lord confronted Eve she said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:13) Why DID SHE NOT SAY was, “I’m sorry Lord, PLEASE FORGIVE ME.” “The LORD is close to the BROKENHEARTED and SAVES THOSE who are CRUSHED in spirit.” (Psalms 34:18) Our ability to overcome is to REPENT and SEEK FORGIVENESS…I’m not writing this because I think you’ve sinned Will but to help you know to RECOGNIZE AND OVERCOME THE DEVIL’S SCHEMES…
For that reason Will, “…take up the WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD,(Ephesians 6:15-18) that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. STAND…” (Ephesians 6:12-14)
-Bill Stockham