Day 20: Genesis 3:1
Devotional
READ GENESIS 3:1
This scene opens with the woman, full of innocence, living her best life in paradise. I imagine the garden suddenly growing silent as ominous music begins to play, signaling the serpent’s sinister entrance to ask Eve his deceptive question. We want to shout, “Can’t you tell he’s evil? Also…He’s a talking serpent!” Why doesn’t she run in terror?
I often wondered about this as a kid, and in my own childish innocence, I would declare, “I would’ve gotten out of there!” Now that I’m older, I can acknowledge that it probably wasn’t that simple. Up until this point in Genesis, we’ve only heard God’s voice and Adam’s (Genesis 2:23). But now a third voice appears—a cunning and crafty voice with the sole purpose of directing the woman’s thoughts away from the truth of who God is. The woman, being ignorant of evil, possibly believed this too was good, consistent with everything she knew.
Unlike the woman, I live in a now-broken world and experience my own sin as well as the sin of others constantly, but just like her, I do not always discern well what voices to listen to. Unfortunately, more often than not, I find myself listening to voices that sound wise, good, and even godly when they are in reality coming from a place of fear, self-protection, or self-sufficiency. These subtle and crafty voices are really telling me that God may not be enough, and I had better take matters in my own hands. On my own, it’s impossible to know these voices for what they really are.
But God, in His perfect mercy and provision, has given us everything we need to live a godly life—His Spirit, His Word, His Church (2 Peter 1:3). As I prioritize time with Him and His word, I learn how to listen to the voice of His ever-present Spirit. When I spend time with followers of Jesus, I find accountability, encouragement, and wisdom. The same voice that spoke through the serpent still speaks today. It is important that we are not just passively listening but rahter “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
This scene opens with the woman, full of innocence, living her best life in paradise. I imagine the garden suddenly growing silent as ominous music begins to play, signaling the serpent’s sinister entrance to ask Eve his deceptive question. We want to shout, “Can’t you tell he’s evil? Also…He’s a talking serpent!” Why doesn’t she run in terror?
I often wondered about this as a kid, and in my own childish innocence, I would declare, “I would’ve gotten out of there!” Now that I’m older, I can acknowledge that it probably wasn’t that simple. Up until this point in Genesis, we’ve only heard God’s voice and Adam’s (Genesis 2:23). But now a third voice appears—a cunning and crafty voice with the sole purpose of directing the woman’s thoughts away from the truth of who God is. The woman, being ignorant of evil, possibly believed this too was good, consistent with everything she knew.
Unlike the woman, I live in a now-broken world and experience my own sin as well as the sin of others constantly, but just like her, I do not always discern well what voices to listen to. Unfortunately, more often than not, I find myself listening to voices that sound wise, good, and even godly when they are in reality coming from a place of fear, self-protection, or self-sufficiency. These subtle and crafty voices are really telling me that God may not be enough, and I had better take matters in my own hands. On my own, it’s impossible to know these voices for what they really are.
But God, in His perfect mercy and provision, has given us everything we need to live a godly life—His Spirit, His Word, His Church (2 Peter 1:3). As I prioritize time with Him and His word, I learn how to listen to the voice of His ever-present Spirit. When I spend time with followers of Jesus, I find accountability, encouragement, and wisdom. The same voice that spoke through the serpent still speaks today. It is important that we are not just passively listening but rahter “taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
Personal Reflection
- What are some lies that you find yourself believing on a regular basis?
- What are you actively doing in your weekly routine to help you discern the different
voices in your life?
Posted in The Beginning Devotionals
4 Comments
Thank you for your insight and such a good reminder! I love that verse,
n“ take every thought captive”!! How I need this daily!
Thank you for these encouraging and challenging nuggets of truth from Gods word each morning. They help me get my day started focusing on God in a quick and easy way. And often challenging me to dig deeper.
What lies? Depends on the day; how busy I am, how tired I am, how lonely I feel, etc. just like that day in the garden he tries to creep in; where I am most vulnerable; and begins his spin. One of the more frequently used; that I am not good enough to be a Christian. Truth is he is right, but he won’t admit the real truth; the rest of that story - I don’t have to be good enough. We don’t have to be “good enough”. Not with Jesus as my Savior. So blessed and so thankful! Thank you Lord!
I wish it was as easy as recognizing a talking snake and running. Some days even a talking snake would probably trick me. Thanks for the reminder to seek to discern what we are listening too and trusting.