I love spring and summer because I don’t like to be cold.
But warmer weather entices the creeps, which means snakes in the woods, to
venture out. They slither through yards and gardens and no matter how
beneficial some of them may be, I simply do not like these critters. Because the
present season now allows me to plant flowers and vegetables, I constantly peer
through every blade of grass on the lookout for something crawling toward me.
The serpent that appeared to Eve in the Garden of Eden
wasn’t scary because fear didn’t exist yet and this snake apparently was a
beautiful creature at that time. Eve conversed with this reptile as if talking
to a snake was no big deal. Rather than acting surprised that she heard a
voice, she conversed with a serpent.
Adam and Eve fellowshipped with God and He gave them
everything they needed for physical enjoyment and nourishment. They lacked
nothing.
Then the subtle creature appeared with lies and deception.
Whispered words through the leaves of a tree that held
beautiful, tasty food.
The words that went into Eve’s mind caused her to doubt the
words her Creator had said.
She saw the fruit, she touched the fruit, and she believed
the lie. She took a bite and mankind fell. All because of doubt.
Because the first people God
created sinned, Jesus had to come to earth and fix what they messed up. Satan also
appeared to the Son of God and tempted Him in a wilderness. Jesus had no
resources except the Word of God. Scripture overcame doubt for Him.
We face the same battles our
predecessors in Eden did and the same ones our Savior endured. Thorns of doubt sneak
in and wrap around the mind like a python and squeeze our thoughts in confusion
with every suggestion from the enemy.
We will never experience the same spiritual
agony our Savior did in Gethsemane, but doubt produces the pain of unbelief.
Unbelief cuts away the intimacy with our Father and we are vulnerable to
temptation.
What can we do when the same slithery creep appears in our thoughts?
These 4 steps can help us conquer the serpent in the garden of our
minds.
1. Think Good Thoughts – We can’t entertain doubtful thoughts and expect to walk
in faith.
Finally, brethren, whatever
things are true, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever
things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue
and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. (Philippians
4:8 NKJV)
When a thought of doubt enters our
minds, we need to immediately replace the thought with what God said. Writing
down Scripture gives easy and quick access to answers.
2. Thank God for His promises – God doesn’t lie, and He keeps His promises. He has kept
his promises since the beginning. Any failures have been on the refusal of
humans to follow Him.
Thus God, determining to show
more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel,
confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible
for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to
lay hold of the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:17-18)
3. Take Time to Study the Word – Doubt creeps in when we are weak and hungry. When we are
physically hungry, we are physically weak. The same is true in the soulish
realm. When we have neglected our Bible study time, we are weak and vulnerable
to temptation.
I beseech you therefore,
brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living
sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God. (Romans 12:1-2)
4. Trust God’s Truth – Revive our hearts with the truth about God
and we can be set free. Media and opinions that flow around us can sway our
hearts if we don’t adhere to what God said as absolute truth.
And you shall know the truth,
and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:32)
No matter what season we are in, spiritual snakes will
continue to harass us. Our ability to resist the forked tongue of unbelief
depends upon our appetite for the correct food. Not the food of disobedience
like Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree, but the food from the tree of
life given only by Christ.
What are some of your favorite Scriptures to feed on when temptation
to question God’s Word threatens your mind?
Snakes are not my favorite either, but as a farm girl, we have our share of snakes. I like to see them first, rather than stumble on one (which hapened last week and is the subject of my next blog). I like the way you use the term, "the garden of our minds." Our thoughts can lead us into BIG trouble and your strategies to combat the serpent's attack are just what we need to get our thoughts back to where they need to be--on God's plan for our lives. Thank you, Barbara.
ReplyDeleteOh my, I hope you don't step on any more! Yes, our thoughts can get us into trouble if left unattended. Thanks,for sharing, Katherine. Blessings!
DeleteAmen Ms. Barbara. I see snakes all the time in my fields and pastures, and regardless of the type they creep me out. I'm not afraid of snakes (I probably should be), perhaps I've seen first hand how they can be beneficial. Large king snakes (and others) will kill venomous snakes like the copperhead and devour them. Still, as my eyesight isn't as keen as it once was, I give them all a wide berth. Of course, whenever I come across one of those copper-mouth-rattle-head-cotton snakes, I blast 'em because they can harm my calves and dogs. Loved you four ways to help rid the garden our our minds from these predators. They can slither into our soul without our even realizing it sometimes. Good word my friend.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you do run into a lot of snakes on a ranch. I'm glad you are careful and I don't blame you for demolishing the bad ones. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, J.D.
DeleteHow easy it can be to fall prey to “whispered words through the leaves of a tree.” Subtle, yet deceptive. Thanks for the excellent strategies you give that help keep us safe from satan’s snare.
ReplyDeleteCandyce
Satan is a snare we do need to watch out for. Thanks for sharing, Candyce. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, your title grabbed my attention, and you delivered with the content. I find staying in the Word and meditating upon it throughout the day is one of the best weapons against our enemy. Thanks for a great post!
ReplyDeleteStaying in the Word and meditating on what this says is the best weapon we have. Thanks for sharing, Annie. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara everyone woukd want to read this once they saw the title- it’s an ongoing struggle that varies in intensity our lives. I especially appreciated #1and#2 because we can practice those any waking minute no matter what we’re doing. Thanks for the reminders to do so and in that doing, taking our thoughts captive to Christ.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it great that God's word has power no matter what we are doing? He gives us the power to take thoughts captive. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteSnakes in nature, do serve a purpose like eating rats. But in our spiritual life, they only intend to take us away from Christ. We can withstand the evil one by trusting in Christ and following your ideas. Thank you for sharing this message Barbara.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, I agree that the spiritual snakes only purpose is to take us away from Christ. And even though the snakes in nature do have a good purpose, I want them to stay away from me! Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteThanks for the reminder to read God's Word and pray when I am tempted to stray.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Joanna. Blessings!
DeleteExcellent steps to take every day, Barbara.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Debbie. Blessings!
Delete4 good ways to defeat those seeds of doubt. Thanks, Barbara
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. Blessings!
Delete“Repeat what God said” and “appetite for the correct food” - very poignant words for me today! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Shelly, for sharing your thoughts. I'm thankful the words helped you. Blessings!
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