Seeds of Doubt

One of satan’s most powerful weapons is planting the seed of doubt in our minds.  If he can cause us to question the sovereignty and goodness of God then we are but a step away from sin.  This has been his method of operation since the beginning of time.  In the Garden of Eden, he subtly led Eve down this path of doubt.  In Genesis 3:4-5 “And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: 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.”  Even though Adam and Eve lived in paradise and God walked among them, satan in a brief moment caused them to question God’s plan and direction for their lives.  Satan appealed to their fleshly desire of greed and for power, the ability to have their own way.  God created man in His own image to have dominion over all the earth and to subdue it and to live in communion with Him.  Mankind however did not like answering to God.  ”And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  And it repented the Lord that he made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” (Genesis 6:6-7)

Living in the 21st century is really not that much different than it was for Adam and Eve.  Unfortunately, our feet still run swiftly into sin.  We don’t like to be told what to do, we like being the boss and satan is always ready to convince us that we should be. Just like the first humans on the earth our thoughts have the ability to control our actions.    The battle always begins in the mind.  Paul admonishes us to “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)  Jesus does not expect us to fight the battle against satan on our own.  ”For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;)” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)

We must look to God’s Word daily to renew our minds and build us up.  If we sow God’s word in our minds, satan will have little success in planting the seeds of doubt.  ”Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)  The helmet of salvation will guard our minds when we put on the full armour of God. (Ephesians 6:13-17)

So you see Christ did not leave us weaponless.  He knew the battle we would have to fight because He also fought it and defeated it.  ”For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)  Thanks be to God that we do not have to rely upon our own strength to fight this battle!  ”Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” (Ephesians 6:10) So, the next time satan tries to plant seeds of doubt in our mind, let us heed the words of Paul in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whosoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”