The Enemy’s first question shows up in the opening chapters of the Bible: Did God really say? (Genesis 3:1). It continues to be THE question—the one that gnaws relentlessly within our soul. Did God really say…
He loves me?
He’d remove my shame?
He’d provide all I need?
He’d lead me to places of peace?
He’d never leave me or forsake me?
Satan has been God’s enemy and the enemy of our souls from the beginning of time. He used doubt to provoke Adam and Eve to stumble, severing them from intimacy with God and His infinite plan for mankind. He convinced them God was holding out on them, that He was keeping them from something they had every right to experience. He brainwashed them into believing God didn’t have their highest good in mind. There was something more, something other, something better, something ‘er’.
This Voice of Doubt continues to lace thousands of generations together with a soul-penetrating chill. I woke up this morning, feeling it’s accusing crush:
You’re a lousy friend—an even worse sister.
You have nothing to say, so why even try?
Your heart is small and stingy.
God will never be glorified through you.
It’s hard to lift your head when it’s loaded with shame and self-doubt.
So I allowed it to hang heavy before God’s Word. As I began the third chapter of Genesis, my thinking cleared. The load lifted. I recognized the arrow of doubt was aimed at a more powerful target. All self-doubt is simply a plot to undermine God’s character. Self-doubt finds its tap-root in God-doubt. Satan continues to jab at God’s character with a flood of questions:
Did God really say, “You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength?”
It’s not true! He’s withheld what you need to fulfill his plans.
He hasn’t given you enough strength, skill, or stamina to continue, so why even try?
He hasn’t given you enough resource to be generous…
or enough time to serve.
It would drain you.
We must be on our guard against this voice of doubt. Follow the root to its destination, and you will discover your self-doubt isn’t an accusation against you at all. It’s an accusation against the God who designed you and who promised to supply and equip you with all you need to expereince, not only the length of your days, but the width of each one as well. Today tap into God’s promises to you and silence the Voice of Doubt.
Here are a few promises to get you started:
I will instruct you and teach you concerning the path you should walk. Psalm 32:8
I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
I am a shield about you, your glory and the lifter of your head. Psalm 3:3
I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3
I have specific plans for your life. Jeremiah 29:11
Lift your weary head and rejoice, “Yes! God really did say!”
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