“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’?” 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.’ ” Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.” —Genesis 3:1-6
Martie shared something she read on Facebook the other day. “The serpent did not tempt Adam and Eve to steal, kill, to commit adultery; he simply tempted them to question God’s word.” A statement that brought clarity to a truth. Satan did not tempt them to do evil. He tempted them to distrust God and trust in their own understanding. You are no doubt familiar with the idea of the inerrancy of the written Word of God. The idea that the Bible is the inspired Word of God without error, meaning that the men who penned the scripture, both old and new testaments were inspired by the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16 and 17 sums it up. Its source and the purpose for giving it. There are many translations, but the original manuscripts were without error – not merely the musings of man, but the revelation of a holy God to the pinnacle of His creation – mankind.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” – 2 Timothy 3:16-17
So – there the two of them are, in the Garden, everything seemed to be going well when temptation came along – Did God indeed say? Or is that really true? It was an opportunity for Adam and Eve to redefine truth. A truth as defined by what they wanted to believe – not what God had said explicitly. You see the question was not did God say it. The question really had to do with did Adam and Eve believe it and embrace it. Or did they want to create another truth – their form of “truth”, one that fit in with their desires. Paul addressed that problem in Romans chapter 1.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.” – Romans 1:18-23
They became futile in their own thoughts – in the Garden, in Paul’s day, and today. We should not expect the world to embrace Biblical Truth. We should not be surprised when the Truth is rejected – repudiated. Spiritual truth is foolishness to the natural man. Man’s tendency is not to draw to the light but to embrace the darkness. To go his own way. The problem is not with a lost world questioning God’s wisdom and truth. The problem is with the Church – the children of God – asking “Did God really say?” That what has been made plain in God’s word would be questioned – doubted – rejected by those who claim Jesus as the Messiah, those who claim to be born again by the Spirit … why? …. because it goes against the conventional – current wisdom of mankind. The idea that we can be like God – or more – that we can be our own god – that idea started in the Garden and prevails today. So many Christians have been and are willing to exchange the truth for a lie. To accept the wisdom of their culture over the wisdom of God. To view their culture’s definition of right over God’s revelation of right. To call evil good. Be careful Christian!
I can raise the issue in this devotion but it is the Spirit of God that must bring conviction of the truth of what I have written.
By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone
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