“Did God Actually Say?” – The Infamous Question of the Serpent

Genesis 3:1

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made.”

The enemy hasn’t changed his strategy much since he began his reign of deception and terror upon mankind. And sadly, mankind continues to be duped by him about a great many things. So, since we’ve started with Genesis, it only makes sense to begin this devotional with the very first time God speaks, “And God said, ‘Let there be light.’”

For many, this statement immediately ignites scrutiny of the truth that the Word of God is inerrant and God-breathed. In fact, the first ten chapters of Genesis are, without a doubt, the most disputed truths of Scripture. However, out of those ten chapters, chapter one is at the top of the list. Here, the creation of the universe, the earth, its age, and the creation of mankind have been the subject of many debates. Why? The very same question that led to the fall of man, “Did God actually say?”, the enemy is still using to negate both the creation story and the Creator by replacing it with a version of his own.

Sadly, in 1859, Charles Darwin’s book “Origin of the Species” was released, and the theory of evolution took top billing over the creation story found in Genesis. The chief reason for this is how it answered the question, “Did God actually say?” To the enemy’s delight, many in the scientific community shook their fist to the sky with a defiant…NO, as they wholeheartedly embraced Darwin’s theory that everything created was created by mutation over time (chance) and adaptation (survival of the fittest). NO need for God in this equation!  Is it any wonder then that many who have embraced this theory based on assumptions and speculation have also found themselves on the path toward atheism?

Today, these theories have magically become undeniable facts in our schools and universities. Unfortunately, even our Christian educational institutions have caved to the pressure of this assault on the truth. Instead of learning how to “rightly divide the word of truth,” we have been inundated with this creation lie from every corner of our educational system and our culture. However, if Jesus is our Lord and Savior, maybe He can help us discover the truth about Genesis.

A Divine Revelation

In Colossians 1:15-17, it says, “He (Christ Jesus) is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him (Christ Jesus) all things were created, in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible”.  Most Christians have no problem believing the New Testament claims regarding Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, yet in the same breath, deny the truth of the Genesis account of creation. However, the New Testament clearly states that Jesus Christ was the creative force for all of creation. Yes, you heard this correctly.  In John 1:1, 14, it says that in the beginning, the Word (Christ Jesus) was with God, was God, and became flesh. He is the one who spoke everything into existence. So, beloved believer, when we doubt how the universe and earth were created, the six-day, twenty-four-hour timeframe for that creation, and the creation of mankind, we are questioning the work of JESUS, the inerrancy of the Old Testament account in Genesis, and putting the inerrancy of the New Testament in jeopardy as well!

I know that many of us have never looked into the issue of creation vs. evolution, nor have we considered the effects it has on our beliefs or how it brings into question the inerrancy of the Bible. After all, the theory of evolution has been around since the early 1900s. It’s rarely addressed from the pulpit of our churches, and hardly ever is it associated with Christ and the New Testament gospel. Yet, Paul makes it clear who the author of creation is in his letter to the church in Colossi. So, when we, as believers, are duped into believing this evolutionary lie from the enemy. It’s Jesus’ work we are nullifying.

A Divine Challenge

Ever since this pernicious lie has infiltrated our culture and been embraced by every educational system across the globe, it has endangered the value of all life. After all, the value of life is determined by how it is created. If everything that represents life is created by chance, mutation, and survival of the fittest through adaptation. Where is the value, purpose, and meaning in that? And survival of the fittest, dare I say, has led to a great magnitude of human atrocities.

Therefore, what we believe about creation greatly affects how we treat each other, our planet, animals, and ourselves. It has allowed our biological gender to be disputed as a created aspect of our DNA, and even our sexuality is being assaulted by the lie that one who is gay is born that way. In our culture, the life of the unborn and the institution of marriage have already been redefined, and who knows what’s next on the chopping block with AI coming into play.

The sad truth is that since evolutionary theory was introduced into our schools and embraced by science, the value of life, our belief in God, His Word, and its authority, has been greatly diminished. If we remain complacent about how this pernicious lie and its effects are eroding our faith and our children’s faith, we may lose our freedom to stand up for what we believe in completely!

Once again, Paul’s counsel to Timothy found in II Timothy 2:15, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth,” is counsel that we need to heed, especially now when our culture continually attempts to rewrite that truth or deny it altogether.

Call to Action

Do you believe that the Word of God is inerrant from beginning to end? Will you take God at His Word, meditate on it, and submit to it as the absolute authority for truth on which you base every life decision on? When our culture challenges the truths of Scripture, will you be diligent and unashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth in the spirit of love and gentleness before a world that considers truth relative?

Beloved, the world is still listening to the enemy who is still trying to get a “NO” answer to the question, “Did God actually say?” As followers of Christ, may our answer to that question be a resounding YES!

Father, give us faith that is founded in both factual evidence we can see as well as the evidence of things unseen, with an uncompromising commitment to the TRUTH of both. Help us to hunger and thirst after Your Word so it can guide us to the TRUTH about everything that pertains to life and breath. In the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen!