“GOD is in the Details”—not the Devil
…sitting around this morning and get this thought. Right behind that came, “everything about the devil’s (the Satan’s) creation and efforts are part of the detailed plans that are the Creator’s.”
The more I contemplated and asked GOD about this thought, I knew I was supposed to research it and write on the truth related to this quote.
Where did “The Devil is in the Details” begin? —and what can and cannot be stated with confidence.
FACT: The phrase does not originate with the Devil at all. It evolved from an earlier European saying meaning the opposite: “GOD is in the detail.” The “Devil” version is “a 20th‑century reversal that emphasizes how small details can cause problems rather than perfection.”
FACT: The “Devil” version appears much later and reflects a change in meaning. The earliest documented English use of “the devil is in the details” appears in 1963, in a book about European political negotiations. I will not add the name of the book, as I do not want to enhance anything that will not honor my King. However, I have learned the book “described how minor specifics complicated what seemed like a simple agreement.” By 1969, the phrase was being referred to as an existing proverb, and from there it entered common usage in English.
Once again, we see the easily misunderstood usage of another language (by the English speakers) has mangled the original context and meanings.
This sounds just like the transliterations and misapplied context (especially cultural) of GOD’s Detailed Word. It is GOD Who is “in the details!”
Details have a way of making or derailing a project or plan. In fact, details are the hinge on which entire plans swing. Have you ever considered that many of the details are small enough to overlook, and powerful enough to redirect momentum, but they will definitely shape outcomes, or even quietly sabotage what should have been a smooth path? Yep. There are those pesky details again.
I know people who are not very much into details. That is bad.
I do know that yours and my Creator is into the particulars.
Have you given much thought to the specifics that went into creation? I am referring to every item for every day, and every life trace that was spoken into existence? Think about the science that was made visibly invisible to that eventual man, who was to be fashioned out of the dust made of atoms, and the Breath (Spirit) of GOD was breathed into man’s nostrils and a soul became alive, after the Breath. …details.
All of the details in that effort are unthinkable. Man can’t understand it, so they just use this thing called an ‘explosion’ and… You know… the “theory.”
FACT: Consider the details of the life you have, where you have been and what you have experienced. Undoubtedly, they form from your choices, but every single detail has been shaped and thought of and brought about because the Omniscient One has your life in His hands. Here is the kicker, each of us can mess up His plans, desire and will for us, when we choose to walk outside of what He has for us. That would basically be the sin we do and disobedient preferences we make. Our choices are also part of the details.
The following is the importance of the original meaning of “GOD is in the details.” What I found was the intention and context of how it was meant:
Excellence is revealed through precision (are you able to see Scriptural relation?)
Truth is expressed through particulars (are you able to see Scriptural relation?)
Care and faithfulness are shown in small things (are you able to see Scriptural relation?)
Creation reflects divine order through detail (are you able to see Scriptural relation?)
This wording is attributed to Aby Warburg, a German art historian, who used it as the subtitle of a university seminar at the University of Hamburg in 1925–1926. It was not a warning, but a statement of value—that what appears small is where meaning is most fully expressed.
Think about the detailed specifics a person (intentionally) leaves out of a declaration, cross examination or retelling of a scenario—especially if we are going to try to keep our own self looking good. If we want to stay out of trouble, “we can’t tell the truth of the details”, can we?
Believe it or not, details will often boil down to “truth.” The Truth of GOD is in technicolored detail. JESUS (Yeshua) is This such of and Image we see, when we think of the Truth in detail of the Scriptures. Here are some additional focused people and offices in Scripture I opted to use. The details of final one may surprise you.
Moses’ birth was in a rather peculiar wilderness location. Who gets called into service for GOD in front of a talking bush that was not on fire, but was in the fire? That is fairly curious. What do you think? It took 40 years of him shepherding to learn how to lead people (…and we just go to college thinking we are ready). He even got a crash course on Who “I AM” the Authoritative One was. He even got a front row seat to see the plagues. EACH one was detailed to not only undermine the gods of Egypt but completely obliterated all of them in every conceivable detail. The very Word of GOD that we obedient ones has come to graft into by faith, “I AM” gave through him. The accuracy of information for the people to follow. The Feasts as we see them in Scripture were handed to him to share with the people, from GOD, for all of Israel. That included the eventual grafted in (nations) “Christians” too.
Here we are, back to the Son of GOD, Yeshua (Jesus). His time of birth and Mission of obedience was foretold. The religious leaders knew He was coming, but many chose to overlook, because they misunderstood the details. It was likely they had their own plans and ideas (like us). He was the “on time” and in the flesh Law abiding Savior for that hour and the Feasts. Go check out His lineage and specific genealogical line. You can’t make that stuff up. How does anyone weave into Kingly DNA a prostitute, a virgin, Bathsheba, Tamar (disguised as a prostitute) for she was a wronged widow, and lastly Ruth? The Messages of details and how GOD uses them are all unpredictable. How could a Man teach and Love like “I AM,” unless… NAH!
The Methods used and the constraint and obedience He showed were all wrapped up in the Words He accurately employed. Each of the applications were “only what the Father says/does.” It was even pre-determined how He was to be executed. After execution, even His resurrection was validated and verified on a set day (during one of the Feasts). Would you like a hint which one? Do you know? Easter is not a Feast.
The particulars even flowed through the selection of each of His Prophets. There was NO DENYING those men were subject to GOD’s Word. The people KNEW! How? The Messages they were given. The Source…? “Thus says the LORD” What manner was GOD’s Spirit evident through them? …Words, visions and symbolic acts. Some were really visual (Ezekiel would be my personal favorite). Those prophets faced enormous cost that resembled rejection, persecution and death—all very common outcomes. Why? Just as in Jesus, they spoke exactly what they received from the LORD GOD.
What about the details of Israel having more evil and disobedient kings than godly ones? Mercy. He was just a patient with them as He is with us today. The minutiae of stuff in our lives are not to be overlooked—just as we should not look past the things they did.
I had a few more but decided to stop. I really wanted to detail Gideon. He too s a really GREAT example of the details of GOD’s plan and purpose for a person and nation.
What have you observed? Have you noticed any patterns?
GOD chooses specifically
GOD acts through detail
Any (our) disregard for detail alters every single outcome
Every person’s obedience aligns with his or her spiritual (natural) success
Disobedience redirects use
Here is the LAST one. It is related to a different study and research I’m doing, but it came to mind as I was preparing for this one. It is grounded primarily in Genesis 1–2.
The detailed human aspect of you and I… Adam (we) was made from the dust of the ground (earth‑derived matter) & not spoken into existence like other creatures.
GOD’s Method of our creation is detailed formation. Adam was shaped intentionally. It was all a hands‑on personal act.
The very breath of life is what activates our soul’s life. This ONLY took place AFTER the Spirit was infused into our nostrils. Remember… Life originates from GOD, not dust.
The nature of every single human’s life is dependent on GOD’s breath, and life ceases when breath is withdrawn.
Look at the details in your own children (should you have any). Their DNA/RNA resembles you, the other parent and maybe a distant relative. Maybe one of you has a trait that has not been seen in many generations. …details of creation.
We were ALL created to become more than dust. We were fashioned and given the power of GOD as our life. That is also a detail we overlook. You are a VERY SPECIFIC individual who was made for MORE! You were made to be life and to shine the same life!
GOD, the Creator of all the world REALLY likes DETAILS!