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Satan hates the authority of God. In fact, the authority of His Word is the first thing that Satan calls into question in Genesis 3:1, “Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Notice the subtle doubt that Satan places in the mind of Eve. But Satan doesn’t stop there! He goes even further by outright contradicting the Word of the Lord in vs. 4-5, “4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Notice what Satan is doing; he is causing Eve to doubt the authority and goodness of God’s Word, and once he got that hook in Eve’s mind, it was all over. Adam and Eve ate the fruit and threw the entire world into sin, and it all started with a little doubt about the goodness of God’s authority.

Our modern culture assumes that the authority of God’s Word is not good. And many Christians would say amen to that because they are thinking like the world. But notice the description of the serpent: he was more “subtil” than any other animal in the garden. The word “subtil” in the Hebrew dictionary has the idea of “crafty, shrewd, sensible”. It is obvious that the world hates God’s authority, but Satan is a lot more crafty when it comes to believers. He loves to take our hearts and slowly erode our faith. Every time we give in to any temptation, big or small, we are making the assumption that God’s authority is not for our good. At the start, Christians rarely bow down to idols, but we often lean in that direction; and when the pressures of life come our way, it becomes clear whom we are truly serving.

This is noticeable in our time, talent, or treasure. Jesus said in Matthew 6:21, “21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” In other words, where your heart leans shows your allegiance. I have noticed in the last few years of ministry that people often do not experience conflicts or difficulties with their time, talent, or treasure until the Lord is brought into the picture. People don’t really think about their “tight schedule” until church is brought up. Sadly, church attendance is treated like a New Year's resolution; a nice new discipline to dabble in until more important things come our way. Our budget is not a major concern to us unless the Lord claims what is rightfully His in the first place. We spend hours pouring our talents (what we would call our passions) into things that have no eternal significance, but when we are asked to apply them to the church, we lean away.

Notice that in every one of these areas, there is the implicit assumption that God’s authority is not good. But nothing could be further from the truth! We serve a holy, good, and righteous God; therefore, His commands are for our good. I love how Psalm 19 reveals the character of God in His commands, “7 The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 9 The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. 11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: And in keeping of them there is great reward.”

True joy, happiness, and life are found in obedience to God’s authority. Our heavenly Father has our best interests in mind because that is part of His very nature and essence. These statutes are not coming from a mean, old man in the sky who really hates fun. They come from a loving Father who created us to enjoy Him forever. Why would we lean toward idols that will destroy us rather than bow down to a Heavenly Father who loves us?

Practically, in your time, talent, and treasure, evaluate the direction of your heart. When God asks you to bow to Him, do you bristle and lean away, or are you all in for Christ? Are you seeking God’s commands more than gold, or do you have to wait for God to shove you in the right direction? May our attitude be like Paul in Philippians 3:7-8, “7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ…”

Serving Together, 

Pastor Josh