Good, Pleasing, Desirable
Friday, November 20, 2020 Good Morning, Lord V.O.D.: Psalm 95:1-2 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. M.O.M.: Ephesians 4:31 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.(English Standard Version) Today's reading: Ezekiel 16-17 James 3
Good, Pleasing, Desirable
These three words are good words but like anything these words can be corrupted. James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Hebrews 13:16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Prov 22:1 A good reputation is more desirable than great wealth, and favorable acceptance more than silver and gold.
In Genesis 3, all three of these words are used in one thought. 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.
The first thing we do when we start thinking about doing something we know we should not(sin) is to justify. We make rational reasons for our actions. The woman saw that the fruit was good for food. Of course it was-so why not? The fruit was pleasing to the eye. Notice that this comes after the justification of 'good for food'. One can't very well see the beauty of something before function. But with function stated, one feels free to indulge the desire for beauty. But not to linger too long on the beauty, back to the rational function-fulfilling the desire for wisdom. What could be wrong with that, right?
All of this came after what? The enemy put the questions about God's truth and intentions in her mind. In verse 1 He questions: "Did God really say..." The enemy generates doubt in verses 4, 5: 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."
Questioning God always comes from the enemy. Doubting God will do what He says always comes from the enemy. Wanting to be something God never intended comes from the enemy. Indulging desires-sin that always starts with a carrot on a string-or low hanging fruit. This fruit is easy to reach but there is always something attached.
Justification is the beginning of sin. We do this because we haven't done what the scripture says. We have not taken the temptation captive. We have let it take root. It is still not too late. It can be stopped. But further justification says, "Come this far, might as well..."
Foolishness, chasing the wind- we can call it whatever. Then we justify, sin, and hide it and, oh yes, try to share it with the people around us as if shared guilt is less harmful. Remember: She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. (He did not ask for it nor did she offer it, she just stuck the fruit in front of his face and he ate it.)
Before you call Adam a testosterone, drunk-doofus, look in the mirror.
All that happened in the garden with Adam and Eve, is still happening today. It is all by choice. Sin is justified and guilt is carried with the remedy always just a prayer away.
God created us knowing how weak we would be and had a plan for us to grow from weak failures to victorious vessels in Christ. Growth-the ongoing work of God in our lives. He moves in us and through us if we choose to get out of the way.
So...your choice...right now. Are you going to carry that load of guilt and misery or will you give it up to Him? Matthew 11:28 28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven, Forgive me. I have carried this far too long. Fill me with your peace. Loving and merciful God and Father. In the name of Jesus, Amen