Genesis 3:1-5

 If we want to find lasting victory in the Christian life, we need to recognize three ways Satan uses doubt to test our devotion to God.

Outline

  • First, Satan tests our devotion by causing us to doubt the word of God (3:1)
  • Second, Satan tests our devotion by causing us to doubt the wisdom of God (3:2-3)
  • Third, Satan tests our devotion by causing us to doubt the way of God (3:4-5)

Christ Connections

  • In the wilderness temptations in Matthew 4 Satan tries to test Jesus to doubt God’s word, God’s wisdom and God’s way but Jesus knows distrust leads to disobedience. So he stands firm and equips us to do the same through him.

Applications

  • We face the same danger of doubting the word of God that they did then. The same whispered question of “did God really say?” can be heard in temptations like:
    • When a relationship progresses, we are tempted to doubt the word of God as we wrestle with purity, wondering how far is too far?  
    • When money gets tight, we are tempted to doubt the word of God as we wrestle with being a cheerful giver, wondering how much is too much?
    • When the kids disobey, we are tempted to doubt the word of God as we wrestle with our response, wondering how harsh is too harsh?
  • In times of difficulty, loss, and struggle, we are tempted like Eve to question the wisdom of God. Doubting his wisdom creates fertile soil for disobeying his word.
  • Eve talks to Satan about her problems with God instead of talking to God about her problems with Satan. We all will do this.