Four Lessons About Questions from Satan and God

Questions are powerful.  To illustrate this point, let’s take a look at the Christian Bible.  We will be examining Genesis chapter three where it talks about Adam and Eve deciding to disobey God.  There are a series of five questions, one by a Satan possessed serpent and four from God.

Satan’s Question

The serpent asked Eve, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’” (Genesis 3:1)?  This begins their conversation as recorded, but it seems as though we are picking up the discussion in the middle.  Never the less, Eve is set up for the insertion of doubt.  The subtle serpent follows up his question by calling God a liar.  The serpent’s agenda took over and affected Eve’s choice for negative and lasting lifestyle change.

God’s Questions

Question number one from God to Adam was, “Where are you” (Genesis 3:9)?  Here God is trying to ascertain where Adam is located.  Life Coaches do this in a similar fashion.  They want to know where the client is in their goal to change.

Question number two from God to Adam was, “Who told you that you were naked” (Genesis 3:11)?  So God has heard Adam tell Him where he is, and they both discovered that Adam is naked.  The next logical question is, “How did you become naked?”  The thing is that God already knows the answer.  One purpose of the question is to allow Adam to gain his own insight into evaluating his current predicament. 

Question number three from God to Adam was, “Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat” (Genesis 3:11)?  This a closed question, but Adam does not respond with a simple no or yes.  Although it was his choice, Adam blames God and Eve for his decision, and describes what brought him to his nakedness. 

Question number four from God to Eve was, “What is this that you have done” (Genesis 3:13)?  In marriage coaching fashion, God speaks to the other spouse with what I call a statement question.  Everybody involved knows the answer and the responsible parties have already experienced the consequences.  The benefit here is that it provides accountability by leaving responsiblity with the client. 

The Bottom Line

Questions are powerful and possess the potential for negative and positive lifestyle change.  Questions lead to discussion that sets an agenda, evaluates current position, gives insight, and provides accountability.  Change is not always easy or full of sunshine.  You have to make a choice.  Change or not, it costs. 

All Bible quotes are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV).

Nick Massey is a Life Coach, Speaker, and Writer.  To read more from Nick Massey, or to schedule him for a Life Coaching session, or book him to speak to your church, business, or group, visit our website at http://www.coachmassey.com. © 2014 Nick Massey