Fighting the Oldest Lie

The Problem

Ever feel like God’s holding out on you? That He’s denying you a good gift or unwilling to bless you? That He won’t give you what your heart desires?

If so, then you’re not alone. Our first parents, Adam and Eve, faced this temptation. When the devil tempted Eve—and Scripture indicates Adam was there with her—he used the lie that God was withholding something from them.

Satan is not creative—like God—so he keeps using the same tactics over and over again. The devil’s lies are from of old, but if we learn the truth, then we can be ready to stop falling for his schemes.

The Word

Genesis 3:1-6, “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.’”

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.”

So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.”

Breaking It Down

The devil, in the form of the serpent, used crafty language to entice Eve. He twisted God’s Word so she would question His commands.

Satan then appealed to her desire, and planted the thought that God was holding out on her. He lied that there was something more—something good—that the Lord didn’t want to give them.

“Your eyes will be opened. You’ll be like God. You’ll know good from evil,” he said.

These may sound like good things, but in reality they caused the fall of mankind. The Lord had supplied all their needs—abundantly (Gen. 2:16). They didn’t need the knowledge of good and evil; they just needed to obey God—and it is the same for us.

Walking It Out

God’s Word is stronger than any emotion, temptation, or lie of the enemy. It is the bedrock of our life, our foundation, a trustworthy source of strength.

If you fill up on what’s true, the lies will be easier to spot—and resist. Rather than arguing with the devil, we can follow the example of Jesus, who quoted Scripture to combat each of Satan’s lies (see Matt. 4:1-11).

It may help to memorize and speak these truths. When you feel that God is holding out on you, come against the lie immediately with a verse from Scripture. Keep the sword of the Spirit close, so that you can cut through deception (Eph. 6:17).

Start with verses that touch your heart. Memorize, pray, and speak them out loud, declaring God’s truth above every temptation and circumstance. In this way we’ll walk as “more than conquerors” (Rom. 8:37).

Suggested Scriptures:

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Ps. 84:11).

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (Jn. 15:5).

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jas. 1:16-17).

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (Jas. 4:7).

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Cor. 10:4-5).

For further encouragement, watch Mike Bickle’s teaching on Encountering Jesus: Overcoming Temptation

Adam Wittenberg

position

A Detroit native who was raised in Vermont and Connecticut, Adam worked as a newspaper journalist until 2012, when he moved to Kansas City to complete the Intro to IHOPKC internship. Afterwards, he earned a four-year certificate in House of Prayer Leadership from IHOPU and is now on full-time staff in the Marketing department at IHOPKC. He also serves in the NightWatch (overnight prayer hours) and is active in evangelism. He, and his wife Stephany, have a vision to reach people everywhere with the good news of Jesus Christ.