Why does it seem hard to live a good life? We experience fear, shame and then try to control others. A prior blog encouraged us to repent of our sin, but even that seems difficult. We know what we are supposed to do, be we just can’t get the motivation or power to do it. What is giving us so much problem?  

The problem started with Adam and Eve in the garden. Not only does God have a plan for our lives, but Satan does too. He produced doubt in Adam’s and Eve’s faith by deceptively saying that they  should not eat from any tree of the garden (Gen. 3:1). Satan wants us to deny the trustworthiness of both Scripture and God by adding a legalistic and more restrictive spin to His law (Gen. 3:3). 

Satan also entices us toward short-term, worldly pleasure apart from the will of God. Satan tempted Adam and Eve to eat “from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” because it appealed to their senses (Gen. 2:17; 3:6).

Their sin in eating the forbidden fruit caused them to hide from God and one another because of fear, anger and shame (Gen. 3:7-13). God created humankind to have intimacy with Him. This transparent communication in prayer and listening to His word occurred as long as Adam and Eve stayed in the garden. Satan’s plan was to undermine intimacy with God by sending Adam and Eve out of the garden (Gen. 3:23).  God was still sovereign, even in this unfortunate incident just as He will be in our lives when we make wrong choices.

None of us know what a day will bring forth. We do not live in a vacuum since an enemy always seeks to devour us. Satan’s tempts us through the desires of our flesh (pleasure), eyes (power) and seeking possessions (prestige) instead of loving God (I John 2:16). Sin damages our relationship with God. People either fight in anger or flee in fear.

How is Satan tempting you today? Claim by faith an appropriate section of Scripture to counteract that specific temptation in your life. 


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