Who Told You That? Listening to God’s Truth

Oct 04, 2026

Devotional

Day 1: When Fig Leaves Can’t Hide Shame’s Naked Truth

Adam and Eve’s first instinct after sin wasn’t to repent but to cover themselves with fig leaves. Shame makes us desperate to hide our brokenness, sewing flimsy solutions to mask what only grace can heal. But God doesn’t settle for our makeshift coverings. He walks into the mess, asking questions that expose the lies we’ve believed. Hiding only deepens isolation, while truth invites us into the light. [50:45]

“Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” (Genesis 3:7, ESV)

Reflection: What “fig leaves” have you stitched together to hide your shame? How might God’s question—“Who told you that?”—invite you to drop the disguise today?

Day 2: Crafty Voices Asking “Did God Really Say…?”

The serpent didn’t deny God’s existence—he twisted His words. Temptation often starts with subtle doubts about God’s goodness, not outright rebellion. Every voice that undermines Scripture’s authority, whether through cultural trends or personal compromises, follows the same ancient strategy. Truth isn’t just about right answers but recognizing the Shepherd’s voice over the noise. [52:58]

“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”?’” (Genesis 3:1, ESV)

Reflection: Where have you allowed half-truths or cultural opinions to dilute God’s clear Word? What specific scripture could anchor you against doubt?

Day 3: Sin’s Broken Promises Never Mention the Aftermath

The forbidden fruit promised wisdom but delivered shame. Temptation still markets momentary pleasure while hiding the cost—broken relationships, silent regrets, and spiritual paralysis. Like Adam and Eve, we often realize too late that sin’s “delight to the eyes” fades, but its consequences linger. God’s truth tells the whole story: both the boundaries and the freedom they protect. [57:48]

“For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:5, ESV)

Reflection: What temptation have you rationalized as “harmless”? How might its hidden costs be affecting your relationships or peace?

Day 4: God Hunts Hiders to Restore Seekers

Adam hid among trees, but God pursued him into the shadows. Our shame whispers, “Stay hidden,” while grace shouts, “Where are you?” Jesus didn’t wait for sinners to clean up—He entered the garden of our failures, calling us out of isolation. Being found isn’t about punishment but reunion with the One who stitches redemption from our rags. [01:03:04]

“And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, ‘Where are you?’” (Genesis 3:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: What part of your life feels “hidden” from God’s presence? How might His pursuit transform your fear into freedom?

Day 5: Labels Lie, But the Shepherd’s Voice Lasts

The world brands us with “failure,” “unworthy,” or “too broken.” But Christ’s cross drowns out every condemning voice. Romans 8:1 isn’t a platitude—it’s a legal declaration over those in Him. When lies accuse, echo God’s question to Adam: “Who told you that?” Then replace the counterfeit labels with His truth: “Redeemed,” “Beloved,” “Enough.” [01:02:07]

“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1, ESV)

Reflection: What false label have you accepted as truth? How would living under Christ’s declaration of “no condemnation” reshape your choices today?

Sermon Summary

Genesis 3 starts in a perfect garden where God walked with Adam and Eve, where everything was good and there was no shame, fear, or hiding. The serpent does not start by saying there is no God, because Adam and Eve already know God is real. The serpent starts with a more crafty question: “Did God actually say?” That question gets Eve to doubt whether God’s word can really be trusted.

The wrong voice still works that same way. Culture, social media, old wounds, and people in life can say the Bible is outdated, God does not really mean what He says, or God would not let hard things happen if He loved somebody. The danger is not always refusing to believe God exists. The danger is believing God exists while living like His word has no authority.

The serpent makes sin look better than it is. Satan promises opened eyes, wisdom, and being like God, but he never mentions the shame, fear, hiding, blame, brokenness, and death that come after. Sin advertises the pleasure and hides the cost. Sin says, “Just this one time,” but never says how one time can become the next time, and then one more time.

Genesis shows what happens after Adam and Eve listen, believe, disobey, become ashamed, become afraid, and hide. Their bodies did not change when they realized they were naked. Their perception changed. Sin brought the thought that something was wrong with them, and shame made them run from the God who had made them.

God comes into the garden anyway. God does not abandon Adam and Eve in the brush or call them losers. God asks, “Where are you?” and then asks, “Who told you that you were naked?” God knows where Adam is, but God brings Adam face to face with where sin has taken him and whose voice he has believed. Sin says hide, shame says run, and fear says God does not want somebody anymore. God says, “Where are you?”

John says the Word became flesh, and that Word is Jesus Christ, full of grace and truth. Jesus says His sheep hear His voice and follow Him. Christianity is not just stopping bad behavior. Christianity is learning to recognize the Shepherd’s voice above every other voice. The Bible becomes the fact checker: Does it agree with God’s word? Does it sound like Jesus? Christ does not tell the broken, ashamed, and guilty to clean themselves up before coming. Christ calls them out of hiding and says, “Come, follow me.”

Key Takeaways

1. Question every voice shaping belief
The wrong voice rarely begins with an obvious lie. It usually plants doubt by asking whether God really said what Scripture says. Discernment means checking the source instead of accepting a voice merely because it is familiar, popular, or loud. [47:19]
2. Sin advertises pleasure, never the cost
Temptation puts the good-looking part right out front and keeps the damage hidden. Sin may feel good for a moment, but it produces shame, fear, secrets, blame, and brokenness afterward. The promise of “just this one time” is never the whole story. [57:48]
3. Shame changes how people see themselves
Adam and Eve were naked before sin and were not ashamed. Sin did not change their bodies, but it changed their perception and made them afraid. False labels like failure, worthless, damaged goods, and never enough do not come from God. [1:00:38]
4. God comes looking in the hiding
God knew exactly where Adam was, yet He still came into the garden and asked, “Where are you?” God does not leave ashamed people alone in the brush. Grace calls people into the light so that hiding no longer gets the final word. [1:05:10]
5. Jesus teaches His sheep His voice
Faith is more than agreeing that God exists or trying harder to behave better. Jesus calls His people to know His voice and follow Him above culture, fear, and the past. The truth of Christ gives the final word over every lie. [1:07:19]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[42:35] - Who Told You That?
[43:00] - Voices That Influence Life
[44:08] - Lies That Sound Spiritual
[46:25] - The Perfect Garden
[47:19] - The Serpent Questions God’s Word
[51:46] - Doubting Scripture’s Authority
[55:33] - Sin Makes False Promises
[59:36] - Shame, Fear, and Hiding
[1:02:39] - God Calls Adam From Hiding
[1:06:20] - Jesus, Full of Grace and Truth
[1:07:19] - Learning the Shepherd’s Voice
[1:10:02] - Bringing Lies Into the Light
[1:11:47] - Which Voice Gets the Final Word?

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 3:1-10
“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 of 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.'" But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." 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, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, "Where are you?" And he said, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” [47:45]

John 10:27
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” [01:07:12]

John 1:14
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” [01:06:22]

Observation questions

In Genesis 3:1-10, what words and promises does the serpent use to make disobedience seem desirable? [55:47]
What sequence of events follows Adam and Eve’s choice to eat: how do shame, fear, and hiding show up in their response to God? [01:00:53]
When God calls to Adam and asks where he is, what do Adam’s answer and God’s next question reveal about Adam’s new view of himself? [01:04:04]
In John 1:14 and John 10:27, what do these passages say about Jesus as the Word and about the relationship between the Shepherd and His sheep? [01:07:12]

Interpretation questions

Why is the serpent’s question about whether God really said something so effective? How can questioning God’s word eventually shape a person’s choices? [52:51]
Adam and Eve knew God, yet they listened to another voice. What is the difference between believing God exists and living under the authority of His word? [54:00]
Why does sin often lead people to hide, blame others, or cover up rather than come honestly before God? [58:05]
God knew where Adam was, yet He still asked, “Where are you?” What does this show about God’s heart toward people caught in sin and shame? [01:03:29]

Application questions

What voices have been most influential in shaping how you see God, yourself, or your future—family, culture, social media, past experiences, or something else? Which of those voices needs to be tested against Scripture? [44:06]
Is there a message you have heard repeatedly—such as “I am a failure,” “I cannot change,” “God could not forgive me,” or “I am not enough”? Who or what has given that message authority in your life? [01:01:03]
Think about an area where temptation has promised pleasure, relief, control, or acceptance. What costs might that temptation be hiding from you, both now and later? [58:14]
When you sin or feel ashamed, what does hiding usually look like for you? It may be isolation, pretending, staying busy, blaming, avoiding prayer, or refusing to talk honestly. What would it look like to answer God’s call to come into the light? [01:05:10]
What is one practical way you can make the Bible your “fact checker” this week when you hear a discouraging, tempting, or confusing message? [01:08:25]
Jesus is full of both grace and truth. Where do you most need to hear His gracious invitation to follow Him, and where do you need to submit more fully to His truth? [01:06:28]
Which voice will you allow to have the final word in your life this week, and what specific step will help you listen more closely to the Shepherd’s voice? [01:11:52]

Sermon Clips

37s

#SinConsequences

“Sin advertises the pleasure. Sin has this big advertisement of how good it looks and how good it's going to feel. And honestly, that temptation and the pleasure of sin feels good for a moment. But what comes after that? Shame and fear and hiding and blame and brokenness. Sin tells you this is gonna make you happy, but it doesn't tell you what it could do to your marriage.”

33s

#GodSeeksYou

“Adam runs from God, God comes looking for Adam, sin says hide, shame says run, Fear says, God doesn't want you no more. But God says, where are you? This isn't just a story about Adam and Eve. This is our story. We've all listened to the wrong voices at one time of our lives. Maybe you're listening to the wrong voices today. We've all believed those lies.”

68s

#HearTheShepherd

“Christianity isn't just about stopping bad behavior. It's learning to recognize the shepherd's voice. Above every other voice that's competing for your attention, if you're a Christian today, we need to only hear the shepherd's voice. So who told you that you weren't good enough? Who told you that you were worthless? Who told you that you could never change? Who told you that your marriage can never be restored? Who told you that God doesn't love you? And who told you that your past gets to determine your future? Who told you that you're too old for God to use? Who told you that you're too young for God to use? Who told you that you're not smart enough for God to use? And who told you that because you failed that you're finished? Who told you that?”

56s

#GodGivenIdentity

“Because there are people sitting in church carrying labels on yourselves that God's never given you. Somebody has said to you that you're a failure. Somebody has said to you that you are unlovable, you are worthless, you are damaged goods, you've gone too far, you're a bad parent, you're a bad husband, you're a bad wife. Somebody's told you that you're a bad Christian, and somebody's told some of us in this room that you'll you'll... You're never going to be enough. Maybe somebody said that to you. Maybe something's happened to you. Maybe you've been saying to yourself... Saying all of these things to yourself. But here's the question I want to ask you, who told you that? Was it a person? Because I know God didn't tell you that.”

45s

#FaithAndObedience

“So the devil, guess what? He knows that there's a god. He knows that there's a Christ, and he knows that Jesus died for our sins. So there's a lot of people that can believe that there's a god, but they just don't believe what god's saying. They don't believe that god has authority over their lives. When culture says one thing and scripture says another, which voice wins in your life? Before Satan tries to change your behavior, he's going to change what you believe. That's the first thing that he wants to do is change what you believe, and then your behavior will follow that.”

48s

#WhoseVoice

“And up to this point, everything's perfect. Everything's good. There's no there's no wrong. There's no evil. And everything is just how God has intended it to be. Adam and Eve had everything that they needed. And here's what's gonna happen. Satan doesn't begin by attacking them physically. He starts talking to them. Because sometimes the greatest battle you fight isn't over what's happening around you, it's whose voice that you're listening to. So this week, the question is who told you that? Not every voice speaking into your life deserves to be believed.”

46s

#JustOneTime

“Nobody will know since this. Nobody will know. Nobody's gonna find out. Just do it this one time. But doesn't tell you what secrets will do to your soul. Just this one time. That's the devil's favorite. Just this one time, it'll be okay. Once you do it this one time, you don't have to do it again. So if you don't like it, then you don't have to do it again. But doesn't tell you how much one time becomes the next time, and one more time, and one more time. Sin doesn't tell you how much is going to cost.”

55s

#WhoToldYou

“And that question that we keep hearing today is that same question God asked Adam and Eve thousands of years ago, who told you that you were naked? God goes after the source. God goes after who told you that. And Adam, whose voice have you been listening to? Because God didn't tell Adam that he was worthless. The first words that come out of God wasn't, you did this or you did that or you're a bad person. The first thing that comes out of God's mouth mouth when he find... When Adam comes out is, who told you? Who told you that you were naked? God didn't tell Adam that running away was the answer either.”

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