“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”
Genesis 3:1

Every couple of years, I need a refresher on language.

Most of the time, this happens through our children. They will say some words or phrases, and I will not understand. I’ll ask for a clarification, a definition, and maybe even another example in context… and I still won’t get it. But even when I get it, I’m allowed to use these phrases.

The kids cringe with I do, and I get that.

I did the same thing.

And so it goes, one generation after another, being linguistically left behind. And yet, there is a link through each generation of human history. The link is not a particular language but four words translated into a multitude of dialects, binding all the generations of humanity together:

“Did God really say…?”

Way back in the very first generation – everything was good. Very good. All creation existed in perfect harmony, and at the centerpiece of everything was the crown jewel of creation. The man and the woman lived in perfect fellowship with God, walking without guilt, shame, or any other hindrance with Him.

And into this harmony slithered the cunning serpent armed with what must have seemed like a very innocent question and just a few short sentences that followed it:

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”

“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.”’

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:1-3

It was a simple question, really. “Did God really say …?”

Those four words have haunted every generation since then. That’s not only because of the devastating effects that came afterward in the garden, but those same four words are at the core of every temptation, social evil, and moral compromise we still face:

• “Did God really say not to worry?” 
• “Did God really say He would provide for you?” 
• “Did God really say that judgment would come to all people?”

And we can take it further: 

• “Did God really say that there are males and females?” 
• “Did God really say all life is precious, even in the womb?” 
• “Did God really say that Jesus is the only way to the Father?” 

The follow-up questions might change with each generation, yet the basic premise remains the same. 

Every generation has had to reckon with those words and the subtle but terrible charge they bring against the Word and, therefore, the character of God. They strike at the core of our faith.

God can be trusted? Is His Word true?

Mercifully, as we dig into the written Word of God, we find ourselves coming alongside the Living Word of God. And that’s where true life resides. And that’s where the answer to those four words lies as well. 

Yes.

Yes, God really said. 

Written by Michael Kelley, Guest Contributor

DIG DEEPER

Read “Don’t Buy Into the Lies of this World” by Bryant Wright