Genesis 3:1 and 3:4 records the Grandfather of all lies. “Did God really say…?” and “You will not surely die…” It was the serpents successful attempt to persuade Adam (see 3:6 to view Adam, like most men today, standing “with her” saying nothing) and Eve to doubt God’s Word and then disobey God’s Word. These same words and attitudes flourish today in different flavors and forms. Most common form heard and used by me – “I know God said, BUT…my situation is different…that was years ago…that’s your interpretation…etc., etc.” We are so quick to take the serpents bait in order to feed our own desire. That was the real temptation. Eve doubted God’s word, which led to corrupted desire. “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…” (Genesis 3:6).

We defeat temptation by believing God’s Word is ALWAYS best and good, no BUTS or doubts about it. We defeat temptation by seeing God as our GOOD and our DELIGHT and TO BE DESIRED above any fruit, or feeling, or purchase, or person, or anything else.

I like Psalm 34:8 – “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good.”

Father, open our hearts to see how good you are, to delight in you, and to desire you above all.

Once again, started in Genesis 1 Today. Goal – Through the Bible in a year. Hopefully it’s yours too. Here’s a few thoughts from this morning.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was WITHOUT FORM AND VOID AND DARKNESS WAS OVER the face of the deep. And THE SPIRIT OF GOD WAS HOVERING OVER the face of the waters” Genesis 1:1-2.

While describing God initiating the creation of the universe, the writer describes me and countless others before God initiated His work in us through Christ. I was without form and void, I was immersed in darkness, I was without the Spirit of God within. What happened to me was the same thing that happened to the heavens and the earth – “AND GOD SAID…” God spoke the world into existence, completing His work by breathing the breath of life into man. God initiated a creation in me through Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). God’s Word awakened my heart and created something good out of what was “without form and void.” 1 Peter 1:23 says that we are “born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God.” Thank God for His Word!

God is still creating. When we respond to His word we live Genesis 1. Have you had your “beginning with God”?

Father, open our ears to your voice creating Your good in the hearts of men and women.