Then the serpent said to the woman, No! You will certainly not die (Genesis 3:4). God placed our first parents in a beautiful garden. They had everything they needed. More than that, they enjoyed fellowship with God and were given the privilege of serving him. But the enemy came to attack, just as he still does today. Genesis 3 is not only the story of humanity’s fall; it is also a warning to every believer. If we listen carefully, we can learn how Satan works and how we must stand against him in the power of God. Do Not Give the Devil an Opening Adam was told to work the garden and to keep it (Genesis. 2:15). That word keep carries the idea of guarding and watching over what God had entrusted to him. Later in Genesis 3:24, the same word is used for guarding the way to the tree of life. Somewhere along the way, vigilance was lost, and the enemy moved in. Scripture warns us the same way: And don’t give the devil an opportunity (Ephesians 4:27). Satan does not need much room. A s...
Abortion has been debated in the courts, in the culture, and in the church for many years. Many voices speak with confidence, but Christians must ask a deeper question: What has God said? The Bible does not speak to every modern policy question in direct terms, yet it gives us clear truths about God, human life, sin, moral responsibility, and the value of children in the womb. Those truths matter, and they must shape our thinking. When we speak about abortion here, we are talking mainly about induced abortion, especially abortion chosen intentionally. Miscarriage is a tragic loss, but it is not the same moral question, since it is not something a person chooses or causes on purpose. The issue before us is whether ending the life of the unborn can be justified before God. The Bible Must Govern Our Thinking It is true that Scripture does not give us many direct statements about abortion itself. That is one reason people have reached very different conclusions. ...