Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" When the fall of man happened in the Garden, I read of twice that someone had tried to speak on God’s behalf, which helped contribute to the fall of man. Eve tried to speak on God’s behalf when the serpent (satan) came to her in the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:2-3 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " And we know that Eve spoke a half-truth of what God had said, “God has said, 'You shall not eat it” which God did say. Genesis 2:17 “but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die." But once again, Eve was speaking on God’s behalf when she spoke three words, “God has said” then she added “nor shall you touch it, lest you die.” Yet we know that God did not say that you should not touch it, she added that herself… Or was it herself? The bible does not say but knowing us and how we are today and how we handle things, things of God, could he have said. “Ok Eve, God said not to eat of the tree of tree of knowledge of good and evil. so we can’t eat it. In fact, I don’t even want you to go near or even touch that tree. Do you understand?” Did Adam say this? Once again the bible does not say, but knowing how man is, it is possible. The second time someone tried to speak on God’s behalf is in today’s verse, where satan says “Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?” We know this as satan was causing Eve to question what God had said, and in a sense, he was trying to speak on God’s behalf. But unlike Eve who added to God’s word, speaking on God’s behalf, satan spoke on God’s behalf to ponder what God had said, not even giving her time to study it and asking God for herself, and even caused her to take God’s word out of context. So, if Adam did tell Eve not to touch it, was it not her responsibility to ask God what He said? Even though satan tempted and caused Eve to question God, should she not have asked God if that is what He really meant? But the same is true for us as well. We need to check out everything spoken to us on God’s behalf, every word spoken and taught to us and check with God and His word, asking Him to clarify His word to us if it seems like what we are being taught does not line up with His word. Also, we need to be cautious when we speak on God’s behalf, we need to make sure we are speaking God’s word and His alone, and not add to it, take away from it, or misuse it to try and make it say what we want it to say. We are ambassadors of Jesus Christ; therefore we MUST speak the truth on His behalf. 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach (He will not rebuke you for asking. NLT), and it will be given to him. Psalm 119:160 The entirety of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever. Revelation 3:10 (MSG) Because you kept my Word in passionate patience, I'll keep you safe in the time of testing that will be here soon, and all over the earth, every man, woman, and child put to the test.