[Spiritual Conflict] Genesis 3:1-8 | "Did God Actually Say...?"
Spiritual Conflict • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 31:00
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· 269 viewsSunday, January 23, 2022. Genesis 3:1-8 | "Did God Actually Say...?" If we are not experiencing spiritual conflict, then we are not engaged in the work of the Word! Conflict of a spiritual nature is inevitable when we obey the commands of our Savior. Through our obedience as witnesses for Christ, we will be confronting all manner of sin with the message of Gospel truth. This sermon introduces a new preaching series on Spiritual Conflict by looking at the first words of the Devil spoken in Scripture. Listen as the Devil casts doubt on the truth of God's character and Word, and let's discover together what God actually says as we wake up and gear up for spiritual conflict. This message preaches from Genesis 3:1-8. It begins a new preaching series on Spiritual Conflict. The title of this sermon: "Did God Actually Say...?"
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I. The Reading
I. The Reading
A reading from Genesis 3:1-8. This is God’s Word —
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden,
3 but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”
4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.
5 For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
[ Scripture Reading ~3 min ]
Say Amen
Say Amen
This is God’s Word. If you receive it as such, would say amen? Amen.
II. The Exhortation
II. The Exhortation
I have a book in my library by the great British minister of the Word, G. Campbell-Morgan.
G. Campbell-Morgan lived from 1863-1945, and in 1941 he published a book called “The Voice of the Devil.”
In this book, G. Campbell-Morgan says that the Devil speaks in only three places in Scripture, and only three!
He speaks in Genesis to the woman in the Garden.
He speaks to God in Job about Job.
And he speaks to Jesus, in the Gospels, in the wilderness.
While the Devil makes an appearance in other parts of Scripture, it is only in these three places that he speaks, that he is given a voice, so that we hear what he says.
And three times is enough! Three times is sufficient for us to hear, and know of the Devil’s intentions and schemes.
I was intrigued by G.Campbell-Morgan’s study and thought it would be a helpful way to organize a preaching series for our church on this theme of Spiritual Conflict.
And so, for five weeks we will continue to exposit the Scriptures, but rather than working through a book of the Bible, as we normally do, we will work through texts related to this theme of Spiritual Conflict.
We will look at these texts where the Devil speaks, we will hear what he says and how he says it, so that we might recognize his voice when it manifests in our lives and in our church to lead us astray and to oppose the Word and Work of God.
We’ll also learn ways to engage the conflict in the power of God and with victory, devoting a sermon to Spiritual Wholeness, and the last to Spiritual Warfare.
And throughout this series, we’ll remember that the Devil only speaks three times in Scripture — God speaks far more, Amen?!
We have more of God’s Word than we do of the Devil’s.
We need only to recognize the Devil’s voice so that we do not give him a voice, but rather gain victory by obeying the Word of the Lord!
And as we listen to the voice of the liar, we will also hear the voice of truth, guiding us through the conflict!
You might wonder what value there is of preaching on spiritual conflict.
What does spiritual conflict have to do with me?
What does spiritual conflict have to do with my family?
What does spiritual conflict have to do with us, the Church? even Southside Baptist Church?
If we aren’t experiencing spiritual conflict, we aren’t engaged in the work of the Word.
If we aren’t experiencing spiritual conflict, we aren’t advancing the Gospel.
If we aren’t experiencing spiritual conflict, we aren’t attacking the gates of Hell. We aren’t making disciples of Jesus. We aren’t calling for repentance of sin. We aren’t purging evil from our midst.
The same is true in our homes. If we aren’t experiencing spiritual conflict, we are not engaged in the work of the Word.
The same is true in our lives. If we aren’t experiencing spiritual conflict, we are not engaged in the work of the Word.
In other words, to be a people of faith, in obedience to God’s Word, we will experience spiritual conflict!
Adrian Rogers said it this way —
“If we are not in collision with the Devil, we are in collusion with him.” - Adrian Rogers
It’s a matter of what direction we are going in. Are we travelling the broad road of sin and destruction with the Devil? Or are we living lives of repentance, on the narrow road that leads to life, following Christ?
If we are living like the Devil, accepting of sin, opposing God’s Word, or we simply don’t care about spiritual things - then we should not expect any conflict in our churches, in our homes, or in our lives, because we are simply not engaged in any kind of spiritual work. And if this is the case, we should call into question our Christianity.
As it pertains to spiritual conflict, we find ourselves in different positions in our church, even Southside Baptist Church.
This is a spiritual conflict assessment based on what I have seen and heard over these last two years in this church — both in public, and in private.
Few of us are Courageous.
These are those on the front lines. Willing to stand on the word. Willing to die to self. Willing to sacrifice it all for the sake of Christ, and engage in the fight!
We have few among us in this category.
Many of us are Clueless.
We have a segment of people in our church that come on Sundays to check a box and that’s it. You don’t invest in ways to really contribute to the ministry and mission here.
You live your life in a constant state of unawareness.
You close your eyes, stop up your ears, plug up your nose, because it is better not to see, hear, or smell the stench of sin than to feel conviction.
Conflict is painful. It’s better not to know than to hurt.
A group of us are Cowards.
I’ve seen this. Your not clueless. You know what’s going on. But you don’t want to fight for whatever reason.
You are content to leave the battle for others to fight — if there will be others.
You are content to leave the battle for future generations to fight — if there will be a future generation.
But as for you, you bow out. Scared to stand in the truth.
A handful of us are Conduits.
I’ve seen this too. It’s a small group who are conduits for conflict in this church. Giving a place, an opportunity for the Devil to oppose the work of God through this church.
Some of us just don’t Care.
Sadly, I’ve seen this too. Apathy. The conflict has gone on long enough that your heart is hardened and you have become numb and don’t care to enter in.
Church — as an individual, what fighting position are you in?
As a Church, what is our battle formation?
God wants us to care. This is our wake up call. It may even be our last chance our last hour as a church to fight.
God wants us to be strong and have courage. Because the Word of God is worth of fighting for. It is the Sword of the Spirit, designed for this very task!
God wants us to be engaged in this conflict that is spiritual in nature— because it is a conflict He assures our victory in for His names’ sake!
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
These are not suggestions. These are commands and provisions of God for spiritual conflict that we, the Church of Jesus Christ, are to be engaged in.
And church, I exhort us all to wake up and gear up for the conflict! Because if we do nothing, we all become complicit together in allowing sin and the Devil wreak havoc over the household of God.
God is patient, but judgment is coming soon.
III. The Teaching
III. The Teaching
2 Corinthians 2:11 (ESV)
11 ...for we are not ignorant of [Satan’s] designs.
We are not ignorant of his devices or schemes.
Our knowledge of the Devil’s designs is first revealed in Genesis Chapter 3. This is where the Devil first speaks.
3.1
3.1
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
This is the first time the Devil appears and speaks in the Bible.
Notice where he speaks — among the creation of God, in the Garden of Eden.
One verse before this says:
25 And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed.
There was no shame, there was no sin.
Created in the image of God, created to commune with God, caring for the Creation of God.
And the crafty serpent slithers in and opens his mouth and inquires:
“Did God actually say…?”
The perfection of Eden did not offer protection from sin.
Brothers and sisters, if the perfection of Eden did not offer protection from sin, then we must expect to confront sin anywhere, even in the Church.
“Did God actually say…?”
These are the first words of the Devil, and they are telling words. They are lying words. They are repeated words.
“Did God actually say…?”
This is the voice of the Devil casting doubt on the goodness and truthfulness of God.
Notice how the text says:
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
The serpent said “God” but he dropped off “LORD.”
“the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that
“the LORD God has made. He said to the woman, “Did _____ God actually say…?”
Any words, counsel, or speech, that does not proceed from a mouth that confesses Jesus as Lord is not godly counsel.
The Bible says:
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
We ought to ask a person — “Is Jesus Lord?”
Not is he your “personal” Lord. To too many deceived people Jesus is their “personal” Lord which means they control Jesus like they control their personal pet.
Not - “Is Jesus your Lord” but Is Jesus Lord? Period. Is Jesus Lord of all? Yes, or No?
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
If Jesus is not Lord, then someone has a submission problem. It is a Satanic problem. It is the Devil’s pride, it is a lack of humility. Don’t listen to that voice.
The voice that says —
“Did God actually say…?”
It is one thing to question what God says from a position of faith, by way of seeking clarity, or understanding.
I’m not suggesting we can never question God in relationship with Him.
God’s big enough to handle our questions. But when we question God we are to do it in faith, already determined to obey Him when He gives us the knowledge and understanding and wisdom we lack.
We might ask in faith:
“Did God say...?”
That’s our question every Sunday morning when we gathering around the Word. “Did God say…?” So that we might obey.
Moses questioned God. Jeremiah questioned God. Peter questioned God. And you can question God!
God can handle our questions.
But the Devil introduced a word in his. A word that should not be in our questioning.
“Did God actually say…?”
He’s questioning the truth of God.
He’s questioning the Word of God.
“Did God actually say....”
The best way to defend against the lies of the enemy is to study what God DID actually say.
What DID God ACTUALLY say?
God said:
16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden,
That was a positive statement of God.
“You may surely eat of every tree…but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat.”
What did the Devil do when he spoke?
He omitted the positive statement.
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
The Devil omitted the positive provision of God and instead distorted what God said in a negative way.
“Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
This is a lie! It omits, and distorts what God did actually say.
Church — we have to know what God actually says.
“To be God’s witnesses, who do God’s will,” we must know what is “revealed in God’s Word.”
Church, we have to be patient to hear from God. To let the work of teaching and preaching of God’s Word to do its work.
Church, We should never be so opposed to hearing God’s Word that we act too quickly or impatiently before we’ve heard it.
Whenever we act impatiently, and try to get ahead of God’s instruction in whatever we do as a church, it is usually because we fear what God’s Word will reveal — our error, our sin, our guilt, even our own hearts that are opposed to God.
Some of us refuse to hear and obey God’s Word, because of the shame that will be revealed when the light exposes the intentions of a wicked heart.
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,
The Word of God exposes sin, rebukes, corrects error. The Word of God opens eyes.
Look at Genesis 3, verse 7 —
7 Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
Thy tried what they could, in their own power, to cover their shame. To hide their sin.
But they could not hide from God.
8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.
Verse 9 —
9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”
God knew where they were. God knew what they had done. We cannot hide sin. It will be exposed.
Instead, God gives us grace to confess our sin. To receive God’s forgiveness, and the forgiveness of one another.
Jesus says —
7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
I was eating breakfast Friday with a friend, and the waitress was telling us about her church. They just saw a 70 year old man come to Christ, and be baptized.
70 years old, and he repented of sin and humbled himself before God and was saved.
Repentance is necessary for us to engage in spiritual conflict, because without repentance, we are still walking the way of sin!
God help us to repent!
We should only be “doers of the Word” after we have become “hearers of the Word.”
And if what he hear disagrees with what we are doing, then our only response must be to repent of our ways and follow God’s ways!
We must know the word of God, that we might silence the voice of the Devil.
1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”
This saying of the Devil is just the first.
The text goes on to share more of the conversation with the Devil, the woman, and the aftermath.
But for our sake today, we focus only on this one phrase “Did God actually say…?” because it is a phrase that is repeated today with various manifestations and leads to all manner of temptations.
The devil is not creative. He is repetitive.
And he uses this line "Did God actually say…?” still today.
On and on and on it goes, Church. The same lie, the same voice, on repeat.
“Did God actually say…?”
And this brings us to the
The [Christ] Conclusion
The [Christ] Conclusion
For in Christ we hear what God does actually say.
Jesus is the Word who became flesh. (Jn).
And not only did Jesus speak truth, speaking as the Word Himself, but Jesus showed us what God actually said.
When Jesus gave His life as a sacrifice for sin on the cross, Jesus showed us, Church, what God actually said about the wickedness of sin.
2 but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.
On the cross —
46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Jesus was not questioning God.
This is not a question, it is a quotation. To show how in that moment on the cross, in our place, where we belonged, Jesus was fulfilling the words of Psalm 22 —
14 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; my heart is like wax; it is melted within my breast;
15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to my jaws; you lay me in the dust of death.
16 For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet—
17 I can count all my bones— they stare and gloat over me;
18 they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots.
Jesus was crucified in his nakedness. Shamefully, exposed. Without clothes, as Adam and Eve were when they sinned before they tried to cover it up.
Jesus did not cover it up. He became sin, and gave Himself for us, Church.
So that we might be clothed in His righteousness. It was the only way and Jesus is that way.
Jesus showed us what God actually said about His righteousness, when He was raised from the dead in power.
10 For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.
God overruled the injustice of the cross, and showed once for all the lies of the enemy, silencing the voice of death and the grave, by raising Jesus to life.
God has the first and the last word!
We don’t have to listen to the voice of the Devil!
So Church, let’s turn to Christ. Let’s not hide our sin, but confess it, repent of it, and hide ourselves in Christ where we are safe, and secure, and guaranteed victory against the voice of the Devil and all spiritual conflict.
God has the first and the last word!
Jesus says —
14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates.