Since the beginning of time, the enemy’s primary method of attack has been to plant seeds of doubt and drive a wedge between us and God. To this day, he continues to whisper the age-old question that led to the original sin in the Garden of Eden: “Did God really say?”
Satan’s first plan of attack is to place doubt in the world about God’s salvation plan. “Did God really say that Jesus is the only way?” Yes, He did! Jesus said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”
If that fails, he won’t stop his attack or change his method. Once you are saved, he will try to immobilize you and prevent you from living the life you were created to live by continuing to plant seeds of doubt. He will whisper things such as …
1. Did God really say you must love God above all?
Yes, He did! There will always be people and things vying for your attention, but the Bible makes it clear that your first and best devotion must always be to God.
2. Did God really say you must be holy?
Yes, He did! Salvation is the starting point. A decision that says “I no longer live for myself. Instead, I live for Christ.” It is the moment where you become a new person, daily being changed and transformed into the image of Christ. And God plainly said: “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
3. Did God really say you will be blessed if you hear and obey the Word of God?
Yes, He did! The Bible must shape your worldview. The world is full of opinions of how you should think and act, but the only opinion that matters is God’s. If you are a Christian who does not read and study the Word of God, you are leaving yourself wide open to the enemy’s insidious lies. Take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God!
4. Did God really say you must give things up to follow Jesus?
Yes, He did! Jesus never said it would be easy to follow Him. In fact, quite the contrary. In order to be His disciple, we must give some things up. But what we get in return is eternity with God and hope, peace, and joy in abundance while we walk this earth.
5. Did God really say you must not be lukewarm in your faith?
Yes, He did! When Jesus addressed the Laodicean church in the book of Revelation, He made it clear how he felt about their inability to take a stand for their faith. They weren’t openly rejecting Christ, but they also weren’t living with spiritual zeal. They were lukewarm and Jesus was disgusted. The world is getting more and more hostile to the things of Christ. When we mistake being loving with being affirming and tolerant and refuse to take a stand for what is good and true, we are lukewarm.
6. Did God really say you must love other people?
Yes, He did! The devil loves to see the hatred and division boiling over in the world. Everything is “us and them.” Politics. Race. Religion. Doctrine. As followers of Christ, we must be able to carefully tread the tension of love and truth. We must also understand that our enemy is not flesh and blood! It is the devil and his minions and lost people are the casualties of war. While you boldly stand for the truth of God’s Word, don’t step on other people. Reach out your hand and let them see Jesus in you.
7. Did God really say you must be an active part of the Church?
Yes, He did! The scariest thing to the devil is a like-minded group of believers gathering to worship, pray, and serve. God always intended for us to live in community with one another. To encourage, edify, and be accountable to others. Contrary to popular belief, we are expected to go to church. And not just go to church but be an active part of the church, linking arms and moving out in battle together.
8. Did God really say you were created with a purpose?
Yes, He did! The devil would love for you to believe you evolved from an ape and you have no loving Creator and no special value to Him. Or that somehow God made a mistake when He made you. But God doesn’t make mistakes. He had a plan and a purpose for your life long before you breathed your first breath. Don’t let the enemy sideline you. God wants to use you!
9. Did God really say you must tell the world about Jesus?
Yes, He did! The devil says, “Keep your faith to yourself.” Jesus said: “You will be my witnesses, telling people everywhere about me.” It is true that people should know you’re a Christian by the way you act, but your actions alone won’t give them the gospel. They need to hear it, so you need to say it.
10. Did God really say Jesus is coming back?
Yes, He did! Jesus promised He was going to prepare a place for us and one day He would return. We don’t know the day or the hour, but we know it’s getting closer every day. We must remain on mission while we stay alert and cautious. Our enemy knows his time is getting short and he’s not going out without a fight. But He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world!
Now more than ever we must stand firm against the enemy’s lies. The moment you sense doubt or confusion creeping in, recognize it, rebuke it, and replace it with the truth of God’s Word. In this crazy world, be aware and discerning, but not afraid. The devil has no power over you if you belong to Jesus Christ.
But thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. – 2 Corinthians 2:14 NASB
