Gen 3:2 (NIV) 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.’” Eve is quoting God’s Word! What she just quoted had kept her in faith and obedience up to this very moment in her life. She had been living in victory and spiritual success. Her life had been wonderful. There was no real reason for her to change her spiritual approach to life.

Why did Eve CHOOSE to start listening to Satan? God had given her a wonderful life. He has done the same for you. What could Satan possibly offer you that would look better than the gifts of God? Is it money, possessions, positions, power, prestige, popularity, pleasure, or accomplishments? If you go with God, you will use these things to help people. If you go with Satan, you will use people to get these things. Choose to not be distracted by your body, the world, or Satan.

Rom 8:6 (NIV) The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. You can allow your mind to be brought under the control of the Holy Spirit. He will protect your mind and give it power to ignore and resist the distractions of your body, the world, and the devil. When a distraction comes your way, you can ask Jesus to empower you with the control of the Holy Spirit. He will help you think on Philippians 4:8 types of things. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things (NIV).

2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV) All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful (powerful) for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, SO THAT the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. When Jesus quoted Scripture to Satan, it wasn’t open for discussion. Jesus quoted an absolute. God said it. When God says something, the case is closed. As you continue with this historical case, you will see that the matter wasn’t settled in Eve’s heart. She was willing to reconsider the matter.

Mat 6:33 (NIV) But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these THINGS will be given to you as well. If the Bible is open for debate with you, Satan will get you seeking first THINGS and putting the things of God for later. He will get you so busy with the THINGS of this world, that you cease to have time for the things of God. It all starts with a “little” discussion as to what God “really” said in His Word about the necessities of life. Does God “really” expect you to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness?

Did God really say, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:25). God’s Word says in Romans 12:1 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Let Jesus use the example of you presenting your body as a living sacrifice by making it take you to church.

So, you are going to church on a regular basis until one day Satan comes to you and puts a challenging thought in your mind. He simply asks you whether or not you think God actually expects you to be able to stop taking your body to places of the world and start taking it to church and Christian events all the time? Why is a question like that so appealing? Two reasons: Sin is fun and the body hates doing anything spiritual.

“Does God actually expect” is the wedge that works with a lot of Christians. This isn’t a question that challenges the big issues. It is just a clarification question. “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’” This isn’t some big theological question that challenges God’s existence. It appears to be a harmless question that is just asking for a little clarification.

When Satan asks the right question, you will feel a little excitement come from your body’s influence on your mind. It will respond with a quick thought like: “Yes, does God actually expect me to give up everything (with the implication being “no”)? You start to think that maybe you are over doing it a little bit here (with the implication being “probably”). Surely God doesn’t expect me to go to church and all these Christian events so much of the time (with the implication being “probably not”). Step Two’s mission is accomplished: You are simply reevaluating the issue.