Trusting God's Word: The Battle Against Doubt

 

Summary

In our exploration of Genesis 3, we delve into one of the most pivotal and tragic moments in human history: the fall of Adam and Eve. This chapter marks the beginning of humanity's struggle with sin, initiated by the serpent's cunning question, "Hath God said?" This question was not just a simple inquiry but a deliberate distortion of God's command, aimed at sowing doubt about the truthfulness of God's Word. The serpent's subtlety lies in suggesting that God's restrictions equate to a lack of freedom, a notion that resonates with modern existentialist philosophies that equate true freedom with autonomy, or being a law unto oneself.

The narrative of Genesis 3 is not just about the past; it mirrors the temptations faced by Jesus, the second Adam. Unlike Adam and Eve, who were tested in the lush paradise of Eden, Jesus faced His trial in the desolate wilderness, hungry and alone. Yet, the core of both temptations was the same: a challenge to the trustworthiness of God's Word. Satan's approach to Jesus was similar, questioning His identity and the truth of God's declaration, "This is My beloved Son." Jesus' response was rooted in unwavering trust in God's Word, countering each temptation with Scripture.

This comparison highlights the critical importance of trusting God's Word. The fall of humanity began with doubting God's truthfulness, and the victory of Jesus was secured by His steadfast belief in God's promises. Today, the church faces a similar test. The trustworthiness of Scripture is under constant scrutiny, and believers are challenged to hold firm to the truth of God's Word amidst skepticism and criticism.

Key Takeaways:

- The serpent's question, "Hath God said?" is a timeless tactic used to sow doubt about God's Word. This question challenges the truthfulness of God's commands and suggests that restrictions equate to a lack of freedom. In reality, true freedom is found in trusting and obeying God's Word. [03:11]

- The fall of Adam and Eve and the temptation of Jesus both center on the trustworthiness of God's Word. While Adam and Eve succumbed to doubt, Jesus stood firm, demonstrating that victory over temptation is rooted in unwavering faith in God's promises. [12:24]

- Modern existentialist philosophies often equate freedom with autonomy, suggesting that true freedom means being a law unto oneself. However, this notion is contrary to biblical teaching, which asserts that true freedom is found in living according to God's Word. [06:18]

- The contradiction is not the hallmark of truth but of a lie. The fall of humanity was precipitated by believing a contradiction to God's Word. In contrast, Jesus' victory over temptation was secured by His adherence to the truth of Scripture. [11:42]

- The greatest test for Christians today is whether we live in trust of God's Word or negotiate it with unbelief. The credibility of Scripture is under attack, and believers must decide whether to stand firm in faith or succumb to doubt. [26:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:39] - Introduction to Genesis 3
- [01:29] - The Serpent's Subtlety
- [02:17] - The Primordial Temptation
- [03:11] - The Question of God's Word
- [04:45] - God's Command and Freedom
- [05:31] - Existentialism and Autonomy
- [06:18] - The Illusion of Absolute Freedom
- [07:05] - Eve's Response to the Serpent
- [08:54] - The First Contradiction
- [09:42] - Theological Reactions to Rationalism
- [11:03] - The Hallmark of Truth
- [12:24] - Comparing Temptations: Adam and Jesus
- [13:15] - Differences in Temptation Contexts
- [14:55] - Similarities in Temptation Approaches
- [18:04] - Jesus' Response to Temptation
- [25:50] - The Vulnerability of Doubt
- [26:44] - Trusting the Word of God

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Genesis 3:1-6
2. Matthew 4:1-11

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Observation Questions:

1. What was the serpent's initial question to Eve, and how did it distort God's original command? ([03:11])
2. How did Eve respond to the serpent's question, and what was the serpent's subsequent claim? ([07:48])
3. In what ways did Satan's approach to Jesus in the wilderness mirror his approach to Adam and Eve in the garden? ([14:55])
4. What was Jesus' response to each of Satan's temptations, and how did it differ from Adam and Eve's response? ([18:51])

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the serpent's question, "Hath God said?" reflect a broader strategy of sowing doubt about God's Word? ([03:11])
2. In what ways does the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness highlight the importance of trusting God's Word? ([18:51])
3. How does the notion of autonomy as presented by existentialist philosophies contrast with the biblical understanding of freedom? ([06:18])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of contradictions in discerning truth, and how does this apply to the fall of humanity? ([11:42])

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced doubt about God's Word. How did you respond, and what can you learn from Jesus' example in the wilderness? ([18:51])
2. The sermon discusses the modern challenge of trusting Scripture amidst skepticism. How do you personally navigate doubts about the Bible's credibility? ([26:44])
3. Consider the idea that true freedom is found in living according to God's Word. How does this perspective challenge or affirm your current understanding of freedom? ([06:18])
4. How can you cultivate a habit of responding to life's challenges with Scripture, as Jesus did during His temptation? ([18:51])
5. The sermon highlights the danger of believing contradictions. How do you ensure that your beliefs align with biblical truth rather than cultural or philosophical contradictions? ([11:42])
6. In what ways can you support others in your community who are struggling with doubt about God's Word? How can you be a source of encouragement and truth? ([26:44])
7. Identify a specific area in your life where you feel restricted. How might trusting and obeying God's Word bring true freedom in that area? ([06:18])

Devotional

Day 1: The Timeless Tactic of Doubt
The serpent's question, "Hath God said?" is a timeless tactic used to sow doubt about God's Word. This question challenges the truthfulness of God's commands and suggests that restrictions equate to a lack of freedom. In reality, true freedom is found in trusting and obeying God's Word. The serpent's subtlety lies in suggesting that God's restrictions equate to a lack of freedom, a notion that resonates with modern existentialist philosophies that equate true freedom with autonomy, or being a law unto oneself. [03:11]

Genesis 3:1-3 (ESV): "Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, 'Did God actually say, "You shall not eat of any tree in the garden"?' And the woman said to the serpent, 'We may eat the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, "You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die."'"

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself questioning the truthfulness of God's Word? How can you actively choose to trust and obey God's commands today?


Day 2: Trustworthiness of God's Word
The fall of Adam and Eve and the temptation of Jesus both center on the trustworthiness of God's Word. While Adam and Eve succumbed to doubt, Jesus stood firm, demonstrating that victory over temptation is rooted in unwavering faith in God's promises. The narrative of Genesis 3 is not just about the past; it mirrors the temptations faced by Jesus, the second Adam. Unlike Adam and Eve, who were tested in the lush paradise of Eden, Jesus faced His trial in the desolate wilderness, hungry and alone. Yet, the core of both temptations was the same: a challenge to the trustworthiness of God's Word. [12:24]

Matthew 4:3-4 (ESV): "And the tempter came and said to him, 'If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.' But he answered, 'It is written, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God."'"

Reflection: How can you strengthen your faith in God's promises when faced with doubt or temptation? What practical steps can you take to immerse yourself in Scripture this week?


Day 3: True Freedom in Obedience
Modern existentialist philosophies often equate freedom with autonomy, suggesting that true freedom means being a law unto oneself. However, this notion is contrary to biblical teaching, which asserts that true freedom is found in living according to God's Word. The serpent's subtlety lies in suggesting that God's restrictions equate to a lack of freedom, a notion that resonates with modern existentialist philosophies that equate true freedom with autonomy, or being a law unto oneself. [06:18]

Galatians 5:13 (ESV): "For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another."

Reflection: In what ways have you equated freedom with autonomy in your life? How can you redefine freedom in terms of obedience to God's Word and serving others?


Day 4: The Hallmark of Truth
The contradiction is not the hallmark of truth but of a lie. The fall of humanity was precipitated by believing a contradiction to God's Word. In contrast, Jesus' victory over temptation was secured by His adherence to the truth of Scripture. The serpent's question, "Hath God said?" is a timeless tactic used to sow doubt about God's Word. This question challenges the truthfulness of God's commands and suggests that restrictions equate to a lack of freedom. [11:42]

2 Corinthians 11:3 (ESV): "But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ."

Reflection: Are there any contradictions in your beliefs or actions that conflict with God's Word? How can you align your life more closely with the truth of Scripture?


Day 5: Standing Firm in Faith
The greatest test for Christians today is whether we live in trust of God's Word or negotiate it with unbelief. The credibility of Scripture is under attack, and believers must decide whether to stand firm in faith or succumb to doubt. The narrative of Genesis 3 is not just about the past; it mirrors the temptations faced by Jesus, the second Adam. Unlike Adam and Eve, who were tested in the lush paradise of Eden, Jesus faced His trial in the desolate wilderness, hungry and alone. [26:44]

Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."

Reflection: What specific doubts or criticisms about Scripture have you encountered recently? How can you equip yourself to stand firm in faith and defend the truth of God's Word?

Quotes


The test of our parents in the garden of Eden was a test on the veracity and the truthfulness of the Word of God. And I want to stress that, because in the time that we have here, as we look at what unfolds in the drama in Eden, I want us to compare it with a similar test and probation that is put upon the second Adam, the new Adam, who is whom? Jesus. [00:03:11]

In our day, in the twentieth century, one of the great attacks on Christianity has come from the philosophy called atheistic existentialism. And some of the existentialist philosophers have stressed as their central thesis the importance of absolute freedom for human beings. Jean-Paul Sartre, for example, a French philosopher, said that unless man has autonomy…, what’s autonomy? What does that word "autonomy" mean? Auto means self, and the Greek word nomos means law. [00:05:31]

To be autonomous means to be a law unto oneself, to be answerable or accountable or responsible to no one but to yourself. It is to have freedom to possess freedom in the absolute degree. And what Sartre says is, unless man has autonomy, he does not really have freedom. That's exactly the suggestion that we're getting here from the serpent. [00:06:18]

Now Satan discards the subtleties. His contradiction of what God had said becomes open and direct. God said, "If you eat of this tree you will surely die." Satan says, "You will not die." Now, one lesson that I want us to learn from this is that here we have the first contradiction in sacred Scripture. [00:08:54]

The contradiction is not the hallmark of truth; the contradiction is the hallmark of a lie. How can you even discern the difference between truth and falsehood, godliness and ungodliness, Christ and Antichrist unless you assume the workability of the test of contradictions? The fall of the human race centered upon a contradiction. [00:12:24]

There are certain similarities between the test of Adam and the test of Jesus. But before we look at the similarities, I want us to look at the differences. First of all, when Adam and Eve are tested, where are they tested? What is the location of their temptation? In the garden of Eden, in paradise. [00:13:15]

Jesus is hungry, Satan comes and says, "If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread." Now, why doesn’t Satan come and say, "Since you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread." Do you realize that the way Satan speaks to Jesus, notice the way the serpent spoke to Adam and Eve, "Hath God said…" There’s a question about what God had said. [00:14:55]

The last words in His ears, the Father has said, "This is My Son." And Satan comes, subtly suggesting that perhaps Jesus isn’t the Son of God. What father would allow his son to have to spend forty days in this desolate wilderness? What father would withhold from his beloved son nourishment and food for forty days? [00:17:24]

My life is based on the truthfulness of the Word of God, and don’t you try to undermine them. So then, the next thing he does is he takes Jesus and he says…takes him and said, "Look Jesus, you just bow down once for me, okay, and I’ll give you all of the kingdoms of the world. Just bow down once." [00:19:44]

The Father has promised me that I will rule over every tribe and tongue and nation. "Yes, I know," says the serpent, "but what’s the price tag, Jesus? First, you have to die, you have to suffer. You have to be humiliated. You have to set your face like a flint toward Jerusalem. You have to be delivered to the Gentiles." [00:20:27]

The church has been exposed to over two hundred years of concentrated criticism and skepticism leveled against the credibility of the Scriptures. So that now even Christians are divided with respect to their confidence in the Bible, in the Word of God. And I remind you that this is our greatest point of vulnerability. [00:26:44]

And it’s not believing in God that makes the difference whether you’re Christian or not; it’s believing God. Do you believe God when He speaks? And I think that’s the test that we’re going through today, the test of whether or not we live in trust of the Word of God or whether we’re willing to negotiate it with unbelief. [00:27:24]

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Transcript
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