But the Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” – Genesis 2: 16-17 NLT
The serpent … asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” Of course, we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” – Genesis 3:1-5 NLT
It is important to know how the entire human race was plunged into sin and how Satan’s strategy has largely remained the same throughout time.
In the scripture text above, first Satan insinuated doubt about the Word of God: “Did God really say…?” This subtle deceptive question created doubt in Eve’s mind about God’s command not to eat from the tree of knowledge and evil.
Then Satan contradicted God’s word about the inevitability of judgment and death if they disobeyed. He misrepresented God as trying to withhold from Adam and Eve something good that would be beneficial to them. “‘You won’t die!’… ‘God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.’”
This strategy of Satan can be seen in play today in our governments, media, entertainment industries and sadly in some churches. Satan makes use of these platforms to challenge, discredit and misrepresent the truth of God’s word. And unfortunately, we are all susceptible and vulnerable to the deception of the enemy.
The quest to be free to live how we choose, free from any godly boundaries or restrictions is radically changing and transforming societies. This freedom in most cases is not necessarily positive or of good moral nature, it is a direct rebellion against God.
As mentioned last week, it’s like telling a child that an entire toy shop was theirs, but they couldn’t own this one toy, yet they’re not satisfied. So also, Adam and Eve were surrounded by food. They could eat from all the trees in the garden but not from this one tree, yet they decided to eat from it anyway!
The choices we make can have lasting and eternal consequences not just on the one who made the choice. Adam and Eve’s choice to rebel against God and His command means that mankind forever has constant battles with the flesh, that old sinful carnal nature. The choice they made introduced all the sickness, sorrow, suffering, fear, guilt, and death that have plagued the human race ever since.
The consequence of their choice introduced sin and death to humanity, but thanks be to God, man was not left in that sinful state without hope.
We will discuss God’s plan to bring hope to man.
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 