If You Have a Lack of Confidence, Read This
By Brother Willis
“And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?” Genesis 3:11
Not long ago, I told my dad that it seemed crazy to think that, at one point in my life, I believed a thirteen-year-old knew enough to teach me how to live. More than that, I believed those opinions carried more weight than the wisdom of my parents and the adults God had placed in my life. The funny thing is that I was thirteen too. At the time, I genuinely believed my peers knew what was best for me. Looking back at some of the decisions I made, and the opportunities I missed, I cannot help but ask myself one simple question:
Who told me that?
In the Garden of Eden, after Adam and Eve had eaten from the forbidden tree, they hid themselves from God. Of course, God knew exactly where they were. Yet when Adam finally came before Him, he explained that he had hidden because he was naked. God responded with a question that still speaks to us today:
“Who told thee that thou wast naked?”
What a remarkable question. Adam suddenly had to consider where that thought came from. Was it Eve? Was it the serpent? Was it his own reasoning? Ultimately, it did not matter. The One who created Adam, placed him in the garden, and gave him purpose had never told him he was naked. That question reminds us to examine the voices we allow to shape our thinking. I remember telling my grandmother that I wanted to gain another twenty-five pounds because I believed that would give me my ideal physique. Without hesitation, she asked, “Who told you that?” I answered, “The internet…my coaches…my friends.” Her response never changed. She was not concerned with what everyone else thought. She cared about my health.
Meanwhile, I was allowing other people’s opinions to determine how I viewed myself, instead of remembering that the only One who had placed a calling on my life was God. That is where Adam went wrong. Instead of consulting the Source, he allowed another voice to influence his decision. The same danger exists today. There is nothing wrong with receiving godly counsel. In fact, Scripture repeatedly teaches the importance of wise advisers and faithful believers encouraging one another.
The real question is this: Where is that counsel coming from? And just as importantly,
What is motivating the person giving it?
Adam and Eve acted from selfish desire, a struggle every one of us faces. They already knew what God had commanded them to do. Their decision to hide afterward revealed that they understood they had disobeyed Him. That is not much different from conviction today.
When we ignore God’s voice, fail to exercise self-discipline, and neglect healthy relationships that point us back to Him, we place ourselves in positions where poor decisions become far more likely. Sometimes people excuse Adam and Eve by saying they simply did not know any better. I disagree.
Eve challenged the serpent because she knew God’s command. Adam heard the command directly from God Himself. Genesis makes it clear that God had already spoken before they ever chose to disobey. The same principle applies to us.
God has given us His Word, His Spirit, and His wisdom. Although we may face temptation, we cannot continually blame our circumstances or other people for every decision we make. Eventually, each of us must accept responsibility for whether we will obey what God has already revealed. That is why I believe God’s question to Adam is one we should ask ourselves often. When you find yourself believing something about your worth, your future, your calling, or your limitations, pause and ask:
“Who told me that?”
If the answer is not rooted in God’s truth, then perhaps it is time to stop listening. Before making your next decision, slow down and consult the Source. Spend time with God before you act. And if you ever feel that you are too busy to seek God’s direction, perhaps that is the clearest sign that you should wait. The loudest voice in your life should always be the One who created you.