As women of God, born again by the Spirit of God, we are like Eve in the Garden before the fall. Eve was walking in the light, living in a beautiful Garden, walking and talking with God. As born-again, Spirit-filled women of God we are walking in the light, we can hear the voice of God and be led by the Spirit of God.
John 3:3 nkjv tells us that conversion gives us the ability to see. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” God walked with Adam and Eve in the Garden, teaching them how to care for His creation and to be fruitful and multiply.
Today, as born-again, Spirit-filled women of God, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in our spirit (1 Corinthian 6:19) to walk with us and teach us how to live in this dark world. We are to be fruitful and multiply and have dominion (Genesis 1:26,28). When Eve fell in the Garden, God did not rescind the mandate He gave to mankind.
God loves to turn everything for good. While the tree in the Garden brought death and the curse, the tree of Calvary brought life and blessing. Jesus came to set the captives free, He came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). God created man and woman to be His Kingdom agents, to rule and subdue the rest of creation, including the “…devil [who] walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8 nkjv).
What happened in the Garden? What turned the heart of Eve? She became discontent. She began to dwell on what she didn’t have! She believed a lie and empowered the liar in her life. Discontentment is the breeding ground for deception. Seeds of discontentment produce dissatisfaction!
Paul warns us in 2 Corinthians 11:3 nkjv, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”
As I meditated on Eve’s discontentment, I had to admit there had been times in my life that I had rehearsed what I didn’t have and who I was not. My focus seemed to be on just what was out of reach!
One day when I was in this mind-set, the Lord spoke to me, “Be quiet and learn to be content!” This was certainly a “wake-up call.” I remembered reading about a man named Paul, who said, “…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content” (Philippians 4:11 nkjv). We all know that Paul had many trials in his life. In fact, he was in jail writing this letter. I felt there was something more I needed to understand from Paul’s life to learn to be content. I continued reading and meditating Philippians, asking the Lord to open the eyes of my understanding, when one day the words, “…but one thing I do…” (Philippians 3:13 nkjv) caught my attention. What was this one thing Paul did? I continued reading, “Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (v. 13). “Lord, how do I forget?” I asked. Instantly the Lord whispered in my spirit, you remember. He continued to show me that when I remember, I choose my thoughts. I choose what to think on. My mind is not an open vacuum for the devil to fill to make me discontent.
Psalm 78:41-43 nkjv says, “Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They did not remember His power: the day when He redeemed them from the enemy; when He worked His signs in Egypt, and His wonders in the field of Zoan.” They limited the Holy One of Israel, because they did not remember!
Paul told us what to think on in Philippians 4:8-9 niv: “ Finally, brothers and sisters, 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
We must heed Paul’s warning in 2 Corinthians 11:3 and put into practice what we have heard and seen in Paul’s life. When we are walking in peace, we are content. When we are in this mind, we can hear the voice of the Lord and receive direction for our life!
Remembering releases thanksgiving from your heart. Thanksgiving is the voice of faith, and turns your heart toward God, preparing the way for a miracle!
Joyce Tilney is the Founder of Women of God Ministries, teaching women today from women of yesterday. She is an author and Bible teacher. Visit www.wogministries for more information. Her new book and workbook, Why Diets Don’t Work – Food Is Not the Problem, share her testimony of how the Lord helped her lose 88 pounds. There is nothing impossible with Him. Visit the website: www.whydiets.com for information.
