Devil’s Alternative
Genesis 3:1-5 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
Introduction: Welcome to another week of learning at His feet. I pray for the knowledge of His Will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding in Jesus name.
Everyone knows the Devil. He is the one referred to as the Serpent in our text today.
Revelation 12:9 This great dragon—the ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, the one deceiving the whole world—was thrown down to the earth with all his angels.
An alternative is a different plan to what you already have.
Every child of God is given a master plan towards eternity with God as written in the Bible, the Basic Instructions Before Leaving the Earth.
Devil will certainly confront every child of God to offer an alternative to God’s instructions.
The devil knows when to present an alternative to every child of God.
1️⃣ It is when you are hungry for necessities of life, such as job, finance, spouse, children, health, promotion and other desires in life.
2️⃣ Devil also gives an alternative to every child of God during emotional trauma such as disappointment from loved ones, loss of what is dear, where evil is returned for good done, and other situations that affect emotions in the journey of life.
There will always be a T-junction or crossed roads in every life, it is at that point that Satan presents his alternative.
Devil’s alternative looks pleasant in the eyes but deadly in the end.
God has provided a good way in all situations, unfortunately, His chosen ones follow new ways created by the devil.
Jeremiah 6:16(NLT) This is what the lord says: “Stop at the crossroads and look around. Ask for the old, godly way, and walk in it. Travel its path, and you will find rest for your souls. But you reply, ‘No, that’s not the road we want!’
Two major reasons why Children of God choose Devil’s Alternative and say No to old and godly way provided in the Scriptures.
1️⃣ Devil’s Alternative looks pleasant to ordinary eye.
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Believers in Christ without eyes of understanding from the written words of God will also go for Devil’s alternatives that look good, pleasant to behold thereby generating sensual wisdom. Resultant effect is death as witnessed in Adam and Eve and passed down to humanity.
Another example of a chosen one yielding to Devil’s alternative through natural sight is Achan.
Joshua 7:20-21(NLT) Achan replied, “It is true! I have sinned against the lord, the God of Israel. Among the plunder I saw a beautiful robe from Babylon, 200 silver coins, and a bar of gold weighing more than a pound. I wanted them so much that I took them. They are hidden in the ground beneath my tent, with the silver buried deeper than the rest.”
Several believers fall into Devil’s choice because of beautiful things seen in Babylon, a type of this world that will be destroyed according to the Scriptures. Devil makes Believers to forget Zion, the city of God due to Babylonian or worldly Attractions.
Resultant effect is also death as witnessed by entire family of Achan that died and properties destroyed.
Joshua 7:23-25(NLT) They took the things from the tent and brought them to Joshua and all the Israelites. Then they laid them on the ground in the presence of the lord. Then Joshua and all the Israelites took Achan, the silver, the robe, the bar of gold, his sons, daughters, cattle, donkeys, sheep, goats, tent, and everything he had, and they brought them to the valley of Achor. Then Joshua said to Achan, “Why have you brought trouble on us? The lord will now bring trouble on you.” And all the Israelites stoned Achan and his family and burned their bodies.
Brethren, what was Achan’s gain after choosing Devil’s alternative? There’s a saying that goes thus; ” Devil gives cap and takes away head” eventually, the cap collected will be useless.
What about Ananias and Sapphira who chose to take up Satan’s nature to lie as Christians?
Acts 5:1-5 But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property. He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified.
Several times Devil present alternative to Christians by telling them to lie so as to achieve a desired goal. Resultant effect is not only physical death, but eternal death also.
Revelation 22:15(NLT) Outside the city are the dogs—the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.
This should be of concern as liars are regarded as dogs and grouped among sorcerers and terrible sinners.
To overcome Devil’s alternative in time of need, we must look unto Jesus and search the Scriptures daily for our eyes of understanding to be enlightened.
God told Joshua the secret of success in the journey of life through wilderness
Joshua 1:8(NLT) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
Jesus Christ during His wilderness experience while on earth encountered Devil’s alternative when He was hungry. Read Matthew 4:1-10.
Devil provided an alternative to hungry Jesus to make bread out of stones;
What was he asking Jesus Christ to do?
To make money from followers and converts as He heals and performs miracles.
Jesus rejected Devil’s alternative by holding on to God’s word during His hunger. Jesus Christ is our perfect example said;
Matthew 4:4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
What is written for us to follow can only be known by studying.
Have you seen ministers of God yielding to Devil’s alternative by squeezing followers irrespective of their financial status and turn ministry into business venture?
Devil knows that as ministers of God, when controlling great wealth, real message of salvation will be side-lined and worldliness will take over.
Relentless Devil still told Jesus Christ to jump down from high mountain and prove God’s word he quoted.
The Word of God Himself replied;
Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Anyone that is ignorant of God’s word will be deceived by devil using so called men of God to mislead ignoramus by tempting God.
Several Christians sold their properties and gave to eloquent preachers to prove God’s word and waited in vain for financial breakthroughs. Such Christians eventually abandoned faith in God. We cannot tempt God.
When devil could not get Jesus Christ for his alternatives, he showed beautiful things of this world to Jesus and requested Jesus just to bow down and worship him.
Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
Brethren, many Christians have submitted to the lordship of the Devil because of the beautiful things of this world. Devil offers his alternative to Christians for acquisition of wealth in Christendom and many choose the alternative thereby cutting off the move of the Holy Spirit in the church.
One can only ask Satan to get out of his/her life if such a person is a disciple indeed and NOT a disciple in-need.
2️⃣ Devil’s alternative to emotional trauma looks acceptable to human nature.
Every Christian must pass through emotional trauma in life but God has shown a narrow way to life while devil will present a broad or generally acceptable way that leads to destruction.
David had emotional trauma in Ziklag when he became fugitive because of Saul. He sort for God’s counsel rather than human reaction.
1 Samuel 30:1-4,6 And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.
❓How many Christians will seek God for encouragement in time of distress?
When Devil wants to finish and destroy a Christian finally, he gives suicide alternative during emotional trauma.
May we never go the way of Judas Iscariot in Jesus name.
Devil usually appears in time of distress to discredit God before offering his alternative.
Devil can speak through those closer to you and ask you to curse or deny God and die like in the case of Job.
Job 2:9(NLT) His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
In times of distress, many Christians throw away their integrity in God’s word and take after worldly counsel which mostly originates from Devil’s alternative. It takes someone in close relationship with God to know the mind of God during emotional trauma.
Many quickly go for Devil’s alternative during pains or when it looks like death is coming.
Devil is aware of this fact and that was why he told God during Job’s travails;
Job 2:4(NLT) Satan replied to the lord, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life.
Christians can be subjected to carrying evil sacrifices to save their lives during emotional trauma.
Towards the end of the ministry of Jesus Christ on earth, Devil came again through Peter in a way that looks perfect to human understanding.
Matthew 16:21-23(NLT) From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
Jesus knew it wasn’t Peter but Devil spoke through him.
For any man to recognise Devil’s voice during emotional trauma, such a person must have close relationships with God and die to flesh. Self cannot hear God during emotional distress.
Haven’t you heard especially in times of need, that heavens help those who help themselves? Sometimes you hear “there’s no God anywhere” especially during disappointment.
All these and many more unbiblical statements come from the devil to discredit God before presenting his alternative exactly the way he overcame Adam and Eve.
Hear Jesus to His Disciples after rebuking devil that spoke through Peter.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.
We disobey God’s word and yield to human nature; a source of Devil’s alternative and enemy takes control at that period. Several times we don’t know why enemies are having upper hands in times of trouble.
For example, in one of the teachings of Jesus to His Disciples in Matthew 5:43-45, He said;
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.
❓How many Christians remember this during persecution? Not many Christians are ready to forgive despite recitation of the Lord’s prayer during prayer meetings.
Scriptures speak concerning the Author and Finisher of our faith in Isaiah 53:7
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Finally brethren, to overcome the wicked one and reject his alternatives through lust of the eyes and during emotional trauma as we continue our Christian race, we must look carefully into that perfect law of liberty.
Never look unto man or any man of God as your model, we are all “awaiting results”. None has finished the race.
James 1:25(NLT) But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
Joshua 1:8(NLT) Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
🖐 Maranatha.
