Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made... (3:1)
... and the kids listened to Him. Because they listened, they saw. Because they saw, they ate. Because they ate, they hid from God.
Mama was right: bad company, baby. Eve didn't even really check out the Tree of Knowledge until the serpent sweetly pointed it out to her, convincing her it was for her benefit. Once she got her eyes on that fruit, she couldn't look away, and knew she could never again be satisfied with the gorgeous variety of edibles readily available to her at all times.
But it wasn't really the fruit she was after. She wanted the result of the fruit. That she would be like God... she would be like God... she would be like God (3:5). She really blew it, too. Imagine the freedom of not knowing good and evil. Imagine walking totally naked- mind, body, and spirit, with the One True Living God. Imagine not trying to hide your sin from Him... just enjoying Him. Just enjoying Him.
I don't even want to start listening to people who tell me sin is okay for some reason or another. I don't ever want to doubt the loving and freeing commands of God. Who is the voice whispering in my ear? Who am I listening to? Who am I following? Who really loves me? Am I doubting what God says? Am I denying His commands?
Lord, let me look to you alone for guidance. Give me eyes for only what you have given me, which is more than enough, Lord. Give me ears only for your words. Give me a thankful, contented spirit, inspiring the people around me to good deeds and not to sin. In the matchless, holy name of Jesus- amen.
... and the kids listened to Him. Because they listened, they saw. Because they saw, they ate. Because they ate, they hid from God.
Mama was right: bad company, baby. Eve didn't even really check out the Tree of Knowledge until the serpent sweetly pointed it out to her, convincing her it was for her benefit. Once she got her eyes on that fruit, she couldn't look away, and knew she could never again be satisfied with the gorgeous variety of edibles readily available to her at all times.
But it wasn't really the fruit she was after. She wanted the result of the fruit. That she would be like God... she would be like God... she would be like God (3:5). She really blew it, too. Imagine the freedom of not knowing good and evil. Imagine walking totally naked- mind, body, and spirit, with the One True Living God. Imagine not trying to hide your sin from Him... just enjoying Him. Just enjoying Him.
I don't even want to start listening to people who tell me sin is okay for some reason or another. I don't ever want to doubt the loving and freeing commands of God. Who is the voice whispering in my ear? Who am I listening to? Who am I following? Who really loves me? Am I doubting what God says? Am I denying His commands?
Lord, let me look to you alone for guidance. Give me eyes for only what you have given me, which is more than enough, Lord. Give me ears only for your words. Give me a thankful, contented spirit, inspiring the people around me to good deeds and not to sin. In the matchless, holy name of Jesus- amen.
Great exercise! Reading it, then putting your thoughts to words is a great way of really absorbing what you've read, and fitting it to your life. Very admirable. I'm inspired.
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