Genesis 3:1 (NIV) Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”

As human beings, evidence shows that we are not very good listeners, even though we have two ears. Having two ears should double the odds of us hearing the words that others say to us and remembering what we heard. But such is not the case. One of the primary things that messes up relationships is miscommunication. Have you ever had a conversation with someone and afterwards, you find out that they interpreted the conversation totally different than you did? That’s just run-of-the-mill misunderstanding. But then there are those times that doubt is sown in your mind about what you heard. Sometimes, after receiving directions to get somewhere, my wife will say, didn't the person say to make a left turn instead of a right turn? Even though I was previously quite certain that it was a right turn, I suddenly become unsure. I thought I was sure until a seed of doubt was planted.

The devil is infamous for doing that with God's Word. That's exactly what he did to Eve in the Garden of Eden, eventually getting her to disobey God. He loves to sow doubt, confuse, twist and distort the Word of God until you are not sure of what God said and worse yet, wondering if God really meant what He said. Make no mistake, God means every word that He has said in His Word. There is no changing of opinion and no evolution concerning what God has said. What is written is the Holy-Spirit breathed and inspired Word of God and it has stood the test through the ages, leading people in the right path and correcting those who stray from it.

We see the results of the enemy's work in our society today, where even people who are pastors and teachers of the Word have gone astray and are teaching that the Bible is either not authoritative, not infallible or not relevant for today. People of the world have always tried to deny God's Word but in today's world, those blasphemous teachings have wormed their way into the church. But the truth is that the Word still stands today, is relevant today and is powerful and effective in changing lives and giving us the wisdom and grace that we need to live life on this earth in the most blessed way possible, regardless of what trouble comes our way. But you have to know it to know when the enemy is trying to sow doubt in your mind to cause you to doubt what God has said. Prayerfully read, chew on and meditate on God's Word so that you will be ready when the devil comes and asks you, "Did God really say...?" You will then be able to answer, "Yes, He really did say it, and I believe it and will obey it!"

Pastor Joey Vazquez