Digging Deeper
Read Genesis 3:1-5
It is important to note that Adam and Eve did not have a sin nature when they chose to disobey God. There was nothing of or in them that was lacking or depraved. That is why it is interesting that Satan deceived Eve by telling her to focus on what appeared to be lack. He had her focus on the only tree in the entire Garden from which she was not supposed to eat. He delivered his second blow by causing her to question God’s motives and intentions for her life. In verses 4-5, Satan declared that Eve would not die if she ate the fruit and said God was trying to prevent her from becoming like Him. We all know that Adam and Eve were already created in the likeness and image of God. The Bible tells us so. Disobedience (sin), however, gave Adam and Eve the ability to view the world through the lens of death
1 Read the scripture posted below. Circle Eve’s explanation for disobeying God.
In the Young’s Literal Translation, which is a literal word-forword translation, not a thought-for-thought translation, Eve confessed to God that the serpent caused her to forget! Eve forgot whom God was to her and that she was already like God. Can you imagine how God’s heart was grieved for His children? Adam and Eve chose to disobey because they forgot who they were, and we all know those choices impacted all of us!
“And Jehovah God saith to the woman, ‘What [is] this thou hast done?’ and the woman saith, ‘The serpent hath caused me to forget—and I do eat.’”
—Genesis 3:13, YLT
2 In your letter to God from Hearing Moment 1, you may have started to recognize Satan’s tactics and listed ways you have mistrusted God. Are you able to see any of the same tactics Satan used on Eve in your own life? Are you making decisions in different areas of your life (relationships, parenting, finances, etc.) that are motivated by a forgotten identity? Reflect and journal.
Read Matthew 4:1-11
What does Scripture tell us about Jesus’ behavior and His response to the devil’s temptations?
The devil tempted Jesus, just as he tempted Eve in the Garden, by enticing Him to focus on what appeared to be lack and calling into question Jesus’ identity. How did Jesus—who humbled Himself, became like man, and experienced every temptation we face today—not give in as Eve did? The devil searched and tried Jesus and found Jesus knowing, in faith, that He lacked nothing! Truth is never found lacking. Truth always conquers lies.
The devil found Jesus resting inside of faith and demonstrating the life we as believers are called to live. This faith comes from knowing who God is and who He says you are. This faith equips you to be obedient when the Holy Spirit leads you. This is how believers produce the fruit that the world recognizes is from God!
Jesus knew His Father, knew His identity, and because of His knowing He obediently trusted where Holy Spirit led Him. Jesus even proved that perfect circumstances are not what produce faith. Adam and Eve walked with God, had a lush green garden with abundant food, and they had authority and dominion, but they still made poor choices motivated by their forgotten identity. The Holy Spirit led Jesus into a wilderness, and He had no food for 40 days. Jesus’ identity was rested inside of God, and He was able to find His authority to resist the killer, the stealer, the destroyer, the devil himself! Now that is a powerful reality that Jesus has given you!
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.”
—Psalm 62:1-2
Does your faith in God cause you to rest in your knowledge of Him?
Be as transparent with yourself as possible. What or who does your faith rest in—yourself or someone else? Or does your faith rest in God’s ability and the promises that come from your relationship with Him?
Complete the following sentences by filling in the blanks.
In the area of finances my faith is found resting in ___________________________________________ because I believe ___________________________.
In the area of relationships my faith is found resting in ____________________________________ because I believe _______________________________.
In the area of self-worth my faith is found resting in _________________________________ because I believe __________________________.
In the area of dreams and careers my faith is found resting in _____________________________________ because I believe __________________________.
Hearing Moment
It’s time to remember who you are to God and what you look like in God! It’s time that we take a good look through the eyes of Jesus and see ourselves the way He sees us.
If you have recognized that you have been living life from a forgotten identity, take a moment, acknowledge, and repent. Thank God for revealing the things that are keeping you from Him and that have been keeping you in hiding. It’s time to walk in who you were always destined to be!
Next, ask Holy Spirit to show you how God sees you. Write down words you hear, sketch pictures that you see, and simply spend time acknowledging that what you are seeing and hearing is truth! Enjoy time in Abba’s arms and testify of the goodness you have experienced with Him. Ask Him to give you a new “I am” statement. For example when I just asked, I heard, “I am a solution!”