In the book of Exodus, God miraculously brings His people out of slavery in Egypt. He uses Moses & Aaron to perform miracles & put His power on display. When the first few miracles take place, Pharaoh’s magicians are ready to respond.
In Exodus 7 Aaron throws his staff down before Pharaoh and it turns into a serpent!
“Then Pharaoh called in his own wise men and sorcerers, and these Egyptian magicians did the same thing with their magic. They threw down their staffs, which also became serpents!” (Ex 7:11–12a)
Later in that same chapter, the first o plague occurs. God turns the water of the Nile River into blood. Again, in verse 22, the magicians respond, “But again the magicians of Egypt used their magic, and they, too, turned water into blood.”
In chapter 8 Egypt is hit with a plague of frogs. (Which growing up I could never understand how this was a bad thing.) Pharaoh’s magicians are ready to help again! “But the magicians were able to do the same thing with their magic. They, too, caused frogs to come up on the land of Egypt.” (Ex 8:7)
Each time, the “solution” that the magicians brought Pharaoh didn’t really solve anything. If your problem is that there is a serpent loose in your throne room, adding more serpents only compounds the problem. If your problem is that your water source has turned to blood, then turning more water to blood is no help! You just ruined some of the last drinkable water!
If the issue that you are dealing with is that frogs have taken over the entire land, then adding more frogs to the mix only makes your problem worse.
The devil’s solution to your problem will only compound your problem.
This was not unique to ancient Egypt. This same scenario plays itself out in people’s lives everyday. The devil is constantly offering solutions to problems that are not solutions at all.
Keeping a dating relationship pure has challenges. The devil is quick to offer “solutions” to alleviate those problems. Go ahead and get physical. Cross those lines. Have sex. Move in together…
Things a bit tighter than you like financially? No problem. Be dishonest in your financial dealings. Don’t tithe or stop tithing. Cheat. Steal. There’s lots of options.
The devil has so many solutions that only amplify the very problem that you are wanting to eliminate. I’ve heard countless stories from people full of regret, who tried to solve a problem with the devil’s solution, only to find that the problem went from bad to worse.
Refuse to take shortcuts or use “solutions” that violate God’s Word. It might seem like a quick fix, but in reality, it will only serve to increase what you are trying to find relief from. When you need a solution, be quick to turn to the Word of God.
“The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7
