Today’s Reading:
Gen. 3:6-13, 22-24 (5)
"For God knows that on the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened [that is, you will have greater awareness], and you will be like God, knowing [the difference between] good and evil."
(v.5 AMPV)
The earth is the Lord's, the world and all that is in it (Ps. 24:1). God is our Creator; Our Maker and we are the sheep of his pasture. Jesus is our Great Shepherd. All that we are and have are His. He decides our fate, our colour, our race and everything about us. Wherever God leads, directs or send us we do not have choice than to obey him. God created us for his good purpose and pleasure. And so, we cannot go our own way leaving or shutting God out of our lives. Disobedience in the first place shows and means we want to be independent; we want to do things as we wish, forgetting we have not brought ourselves into this world.
The rebellion of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden shattered the purity, unity and harmony between the human race, the earth, the animals and God (vv. 1-24).
Notice that the serpent used the phrase of God’s command to contradict God's order to the man and woman (v.4). He used a sincere motive to tempt Eve. 'You will be like God', and humanity's highest goal is to be God-like in some of the nature we share with Him. It is different from trying to become God. Satan was driven from heaven because of desire to be like God (Isa. 14; Eze. 28).
Satan also used the Scripture to tempt Jesus Christ, but Jesus did not fall for his temptation (Luke 4). The temptation of disobedience involves gaining knowledge without first learning to obey. And every temptation leads us to go our own way of perdition, instead of God's way of righteousness (Prov. 14:12).
There is said to be a tropical plant called, corpse flower. A native of Indonesia and is said to likely bloom only once in several years. So, people would gather to witness its spectacular blooming. Once open, the huge spiky, beautiful red bloom smells like rotten meat. Because of its putrid fragrance, the flower attracts flies and beetles that are looking for rotten meat, but there is no nectar in it.
Sin is like the corpse flower, it holds out promises, which at the end offers no reward. Adam and Eve found this out in a hard way. And the same with us when we yield to the devil's temptation, we regret at the end. Satan has no good gift for us. When he gives false gifts, he takes the choicest in return. Eden was a beautiful garden, but Adam and Eve forfeited their lovely opportunity to live in comfort as God designed, by disobeying God's command and they lost their innocence. Also, the God-given beauty of the tree of knowledge of good and evil became like a corpse flower to them. The reward for their disobedience was alienation, pain, groaning, emptiness toil and spiritual death.
We are to reflect God's character and to recognise his authority over our lives. When we have lofty goals, we must let God be in control and lead us through it. Self-exaltation leads to rebellion against God. And when we leave God out of our plans, we are placing ourselves above God. This is what Satan wants to use us to do. Sin looks inviting and may feel good, but it cannot compare with the wonder, beauty and fragrance of placing our hope in, and obeying God, who has lovingly made us to share of his life and joy. God's commands over-rules and over-powers Satan's suggestions. Whatever temptation and challenges that is facing us, let us remember that God has promised to strengthen us to overcome it and in Christ Jesus, we are always overcomers.
Olufunmilayo Titilola Adekusibe
Prayer:
Thank you because you are more than whatever temptation or challenge, I may be passing through; encourage and strengthen me Lord, to wholly rely on you in all situation, in Jesus name.
Every dark water flowing from my foundation into my life, dry up, in Jesus name.
I shall not walk into the trap of the enemy, and so Lord sudden destruction will not locate my habitation, in Jesus name.
Father, uproot everything you have not planted in your church, revive your Pentecostal power and fire, and re-position your church to suit your purpose, in Jesus name.
Merciful God, Compassionate God, intervene in the chaotic situation of the nations of the world, in Jesus name. Amen.
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