Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “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.’ ” (Genesis 3:1-3NKJV)

Who was this serpent?

So, the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. (Revelation 12:9)

This serpent is still more subtle than any of the beasts!

The serpent is classified among the animal kingdom and God gave man dominion over the animals.

So, this serpent has to think wisely. He has to be cunning to accomplish his intention. So, the first thing he did was to interrogate the woman concerning the Word that God spoke.

The serpent said to the woman, “Has God indeed said?”

The woman answered him with the exact word that came from the mouth of God, but her mistake was to listen to the counter remarks of the serpent after she spoke the Word of God.

The serpent has not changed his tactics. He is still questioning the authority of God. He is still questioning the words that came out of the mouth of God.

Living in this world you will be faced with many trials.

The devil will try to instigate doubts in your mind by questioning the word that God spoke.

Some of these areas that the devil attack is your family, finances, health, and mind.

How will you respond to the enemy? Will you listen to his deceptive words that outwardly appear like the truth?

How did Jesus respond to the devil when he questioned His authority?

The devil said to Jesus “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to be turned into bread.”

Note he said if you are the Son of God.

Has God indeed said?

Remember, earlier in Matthew 3, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptiste and when He came up from the water, the heavens were opened to Him and the Spirit of God in the form of a dove descended and rested on Him and the voice of God from heaven declared,

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17)

However, while Jesus was in the wilderness of trials and temptations, the devil tried to create doubt or distrust in His heart concerning the word that His Father had declared.

“Has God indeed said that you are the Son of God?”

“If you are the Son of God prove it!”

If Jesus had turned those stones into bread, He would be obeying the devil and the second Adam would have fallen into sin.

But Jesus said to the devil, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

Jesus quoted the Word of God and that was His final Word to the devil. He did not encourage or listen to any other statement from the devil concerning food.

The devil tempted Jesus in three different areas and on the final attack, Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’”(Matthew 4:8-11NKJV)

Jesus chased away the devil with the final word from the Lord.

The devil had no other choice but to leave.

Using the Word of God wisely

Jesus used the Word of God as a weapon to rebuke and chase away the enemy.

Jesus left us the perfect example of how we should deal with the enemy when he tries to discourage us.

Many people are battling financially especially during this economic recession. It seems as if the devil controls the money in this world.

Your bank books may be depleted and you are living from paycheck to paycheck or you may not even have a job at the moment. The serpent will hiss in your ears,

“Has God indeed said that He will provide for your needs?”

“Are you sure you will get a job?”

Your answer and the final word should be:

And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)

I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his (seed) descendants begging bread. He is ever merciful and lends; and his descendants are blessed. (Psalms 37:25-26)

The serpent will question the Word that God told you concerning your marriage and your family.

“Has God indeed said He will save your husband or your child?”

“Are you sure that God told you to marry this man or this woman?”

Your final word to the devil should be:

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he falls, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the Lord upholds him with His hand. (Psalms 37:23-24)

If you consider yourself a man or woman of integrity who is obedient to God, then your steps are ordered or directed by the Lord.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

The greatest attack from the serpent is within your mind.

The serpent will instill fear. He will instill distrust and loneliness.

The serpent will instill doubts about your self-worth. But when these attacks come upon you, counter them with the direct Word from the mouth of God.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Are you feeling forsaken?

Right now, you may be shouldering some heavy burden and the serpent is nagging at you,

“Has God indeed said He will be with you?”

“Where is God amidst all of this disaster?”

Just remember these words:

Though the mountains be shaken, and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. (Isaiah 54:10)

Feeling fearful because of the constant hissing of the serpent in your ears.

Just repeat these words that come from the mouth of God.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. (Isaiah 43:2)

For I, the Lord your God, will hold your right hand, saying to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13)

The Word of God must be the final word against the devil when he tries to plant doubts in your heart about the authority of the Word of God.

Has God indeed said?

Yes, God said it and that is final!

Let us pray

I pray that God has the final word or the final say in our lives. I pray that we will be filled with the knowledge of God’s Word.

I pray that God’s Word will be established in our lives.

Lord give us the desire for your Word.

We want to esteem your words above our daily food because you said man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.

We want your Word to abide in our hearts. We want to say like the psalmist.

Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. (Psalms 119:97)

How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! (Psalms 119:103)

We want your words to be sweet in our mouth so that we can absorb it in our body, soul, and spirit.

Help us, Lord, to meditate day and night upon your words so that it will keep us from evil.

We want your Word to be a lamp unto our feet to guide our paths in our daily walk.

Revive us O Lord with your words. We want a revival in our lives and only your Word can give us a revival.

Accept, I pray, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord, and teach (us) me Your judgments.

(Our lives are) My life is continually in (your hands and we will not forget not law) my hand, Yet I do not forget Your law. (Psalms 119:108-109).

(We will incline our hearts) I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes forever, to the very end. (Psalms 119:112)

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen and Amen!

Praise the Lord!

Thank you, Jesus!