As a kid and teenager, I tested limits. Lots of them. Oh, yea. Is that You, Father, saying I still do? Oh, my…
Have you ever heard it’s hot, then touched whatever to just make sure you were hearing “the truth?” Just checkin’ to be sure…
Or heard, eat all that and you will gain weight, yet you stacked your plate full at the buffet anyway – just like I did? And have the muffin top to prove it?
Or been told, be home before midnight. Only bad stuff happens after midnight anyhow. And you had to see that “bad stuff” for yourself instead of trusting that your parents (DAD!) knew what was best for you?
Or dipped your toe – truthfully, your full body – into the water where the no swimming sign was posted?
Or dove head first into the lake from that high rock that just looked FUN? Only to find your friend who followed you in having to be airlifted out, fighting for survival?
Or texted, called or visited that guy, yea, that off-limits guy?
Been there – or somewhere similar? Yea, me too, for many of these. Far too many times to be truthful. If (oops-when) there is a boundary, I would (seems like I still do) test it and check it out. Was (truthfully still is) that boundary REALLY needed? Was (again, still is) “the fun” on the other side where my dad (OH! My Dad – My Father God!) said “the bad stuff” was? What did (oh, my-does) bad stuff look like? Was (is) it REALLY that bad?
Oh FUN – let’s go find out! No big deal, right?
Have you had thoughts like these too? Or were you the compliant, obedient one? Oh, to simply BELIEVE! That would have been in my best interest… Hummmm, I need to correct that verb tense…IS in my best interest.
Genesis 3:1 (NIV) The Fall 3 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?”
Look closely at Genesis Chapters 1-2. God creates. Then God creates mankind and is now reverently called LORD GOD. He is God and also LORD of our lives, His sons and daughters.
Read Genesis 3:1 again. Do you see the name the serpent uses? God. Why is that? The serpent KNEW God and His laws and ways, yet God was NOT LORD of the serpent’s life.
And you? Is He LORD God – in ALL aspects of your precious life?
What temptation has tested you?
Did you seek your Lord God in the situation? Did you succumb to the temptation or overcome the testing?
Like I said, I tested limits. Yes, I was totally aware of what I was doing. I was a good kid (thank God!), I simply wanted TO KNOW, FOR SURE, what I had been told was true. I simply had to see for myself – far too often. I now see that as a lack of trust versus simply curiosity that “got the better of me” more often than I care to admit.
Reading a blog post on Kristine Brown’s MoreThanYourself.com by her friend Emily Weesner simply opened my eyes today. You may want to read her blog for yourself too. It’s packed full of powerful T R U T H.
No is Not a Negative is the title of her post that sparked revelation.
And that truth hurt my heart. I can only imagine how my LORD GOD’s been grieved. When I fail to yield to Him as LORD GOD, He is grieved. Forgive me, Lord God Almighty.
Let’s get back to Genesis 3 to see this pattern maintained when the serpent and Eve are speaking. Yes indeed the LORD GOD returns – and rules – as LORD GOD.
…or you will surely die, Eve told that crafty critter what the LORD GOD said the consequence of eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was.
Genesis 3:4-6 (NIV) 4 “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. 5 “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6 When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Then the sound of the LORD GOD walking in the garden was heard. And they were hiding – covered in shame and by a fig leaf.
Do you have something that shames you before your LORD GOD (and others)?
Do you have a “fig leaf” you hide behind? What is it?
Did you see the underlined above? His truth popped out at me just now.
When you will know good and evil
Frankly, mine is total exposure.
If, if, if you know x, y, z, you will think less of me.
If, if, if you know abc, you will be repelled and repulsed by me.
If, if, if…
What have I used to hide my shame?
What have I “eaten”?
Look at verse 6 above. Was it:
Good for food?
Pleasing to the eye?
Desirable for gaining knowledge?
Who did we invite to join us?
Now our lives are consumed with options, choices and chances to be tested and tempted, for we know good and evil. Yet, we can choose to treasure the truth of God’s Word, the LORD GOD’s Word, in our lives.
LORD over me, all of me, Father God. Be the Lord God of my life instead of simply being One known as God. Thank You that Your Holy Word says You are my Lord, Savior, Redeemer and Friend. Thank You, Lord God. In Jesus name. Amen
(FYI-Toby Mac’s lyrics I wanna know what you are thinking, Can’t image it didn’t sink in is playing as I write this–can’t imagine this lesson didn’t sink in–a LONG time ago!)
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