Starving the Fairytale: 5 Truths to Replace the Lie That More of Self in Our Work Is the AnswerSample

When reading the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden, it can be hard to grasp how they both could fall into Satan’s scheme while standing in the perfection of the Garden. They weren’t homeless on a filthy street; they were living in a heaven-like world in perfect fellowship with God Himself. God’s instructions were clear, and up to this point, His instructions weren’t an issue or up for debate.

“The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'” Genesis 3:2-3

Adam and Eve had everything they needed, including a perfect relationship with God, but Satan introduced them to something that they didn’t have:

The idea that God wasn’t as great as they thought He was and that they could be greater than they currently were.

Satan works hard to downplay the goodness of God and the provision that God has already given us. In God, we have everything that we need. But Satan says we’d be happier with a bigger house or bigger following. In God’s goodness, we have His Word and the Holy Spirit to guide us and bring us comfort. But Satan says that there are better books out there to give us better answers.

As humans, prompted by the enemy’s whispers, we like to focus on why God would withhold something from us like wealth, better health, etc. Or in Adam and Eve’s case, a fruit tree. But as we understand the heart of God, we see that His withholding is the goodness of His protection over our lives.

Just as Adam and Eve were in the garden, surrounded by God’s goodness, we, too, are surrounded by God’s goodness. His blessings are everywhere. As the enemy works hard to get us to focus on the one thing we don’t have, remind him of God’s overwhelming goodness and that we won’t be falling for his schemes of death and destruction today.

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change." James 1:17

Time to evaluate: Where do you feel like God has withheld something from you? Would that something become an idol in your life if you had it?

God, help me to identify the moments of my day where the enemy is trying to steal the truth from my heart and mind. I know Your goodness is more than I can fathom; it is the air that I breathe. I’ll keep my eyes on You, the Author of my life and story. You are trustworthy as You continue to supply and meet my every need. I love You!