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’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5)
Background
Adam and Eve had lived a pretty amazing life in the garden. There was peace. And purpose. And a face-to-face relationship with God. It was special.
And then satan entered the picture. His goal was to separate Adam and Eve from God.
His approach was subtle. But strategic. Satan suggested that God’s instructions and path was not in our best interests. We should consider following an alternative direction. Surely, this alternative path would be better.
Reflections
There is a spiritual assault on truth…what is truly important…and real.
This campaign to confuse; camouflage and distract isn’t new. It started very early. Adam, who had communed directly with God unlike any other, was targeted. And only 3 chapters into the biblical narrative the great tension began. Satan was at it. Eloquently suggesting that alternative paths to His instructions would really be in our best interests. Subtly whispering that God was withholding some degree of pleasure and purpose from us. Adam and Eve became distracted. And convinced. And fell for the lie.
If I’m honest I’ve asked myself, “Adam had a direct conversational relationship with God. He met with Him. He knew him. He knew His goodness. How on earth could he have fallen for a lie given his first-hand knowledge of God?” Seriously?!?
I’ve had similar thoughts about the Israelites who were being led out of Egypt. They witnessed Moses and Aaron, under God’s power, direct one miracle after another. They were fed with manna from heaven; walked through the Red sea; daily witnessed His direction with clouds and pillars of fire directing their paths. And yet many succumbed to doubt and the whispers from satan that maybe life really would be better back in Egypt. Easier. Seriously?!?
And then the Holy Spirit gently reminds me of another character that has all too frequently followed the whispers…me. Over much of my life I have all too easily fallen for the whisper that supports my view of ease; comfort; entertainment; and even pleasure. The theology I’ve adopted has been desperate to include popular elements of the American dream that support what I really want in that moment or season…and I too have frequently yielded to the lie from the eloquent whisperer.
And after spending a season studying scripture and the gospel message, I’ve seen that the whispers have often directed me to subtly compromise. To pursue my own, more convenient gospel. A gospel that pursues security versus spiritual risk-taking; financial freedom versus faith-filled kingdom living; entertainment consumption such as internet surfing versus disciplined time daily in scripture; time invested with friends and family versus with those poor and hurting and desperate for the good news.
God is good. It is now time to respond to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, your promises are good. They provide the foundation for a life that is rich. And meaningful. The promises aren’t always easy. They sometimes require me to take a more difficult short-term path. There have been so many times where I’ve opted for the alternative whisper that is meant to provide immediate satisfaction. And draws my heart from you. I’m sorry. It is time for me to pursue you…and your promises. And demonstrate a belief that your promises were designed not only for your best interests, but for mine. I love you. Amen.
What if we began to live lives that were more defined by being gospel-modeled versus American-dream modeled? What if we recognized that God’s promises and plans truly provide a framework for a much more satisfying life than offered by the eloquent whisperer?
What if... 