Spiritual Choices: "Did God really say?"

There's a story in the Bible illustrating the challenge of spiritual-choices we sometimes face.  It happened in the Garden of Eden after God told Adam, "You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden — except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die."  (See Genesis 2:16-17 NLT)

Genesis 3:1 is the first question asked in the Bible.  It was purposefully deceptive by the Devil in asking, "Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?"  .......Hmm?, ....that is not what God said!

Eve (and Adam) knew the TRUTH God had given them about which "specific" fruit to not eat.  It was God's way of giving them a "live-by-the-truth" LIFE BOUNDRY for their relationship with Him....

Not eating the "forbidden" fruit was God's way of giving Adam and Eve a simple commandment to obey, ....so they could express "trust" in Him.

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That's when the Devil messed with Eve's (and Adam's) worldview, saying, "You will not surely die.  For God knows ....if you taste it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."  ....The implication being that God was holding back on something they should have, needed!  .......They had a simple choice to make, ....trust God? ....or not?  

(The Devil suggested,) ....Die?  No, you’ll not die. God is playing games with you.  The truth is that God knows the day you eat the fruit from that tree you will awaken something powerful in you and become like Him: possessing knowledge of both good and evil.
    — Genesis 3:4-5 The Voice

Well, ....they wanted it, now seeing life through a "changed" worldview.  That's when Adam and Eve ....LOST TRUST IN GOD, ....sinned eating the fruit, ....crossed a relationship boundary with God, ....and you know the rest of this story.

It was straightforward deception from the Devil.  And he has been doing it basically the same way ever since ("Did God really say...?"), because it works so well on us humans, ....when we do not trust God and follow His truth.  ....When we want to "BE LIKE GOD".‍

.......Do we see what happened here, so we can learn from it?  It is the Devil's "divide and conquer" warfare strategy, ....intended to destroy humans' relationship with Creator God.  ....Beware such traps!‍

Recognize God's Word for what it is! ....God is telling us how to have a loving, loyal relationship with Himself.  Believing and obeying God's truths gives us abundant opportunities to EXPRESS HOW WE LOVE ....AND TRUST HIM.

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Spiritual Choices: "Where are you?"

‍The second question in the Bible is the Lord God looking for fellowship with Adam (and Eve), when He asks "Where are you?"

When the cool evening breezes were blowing, the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden. So they hid from the Lord God among the trees. Then the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”
    — Genesis 3:8-9 NLT

....Now, does anyone really think Eternal God did not know Adam and Eve where hiding "among the trees".  SMILE.

Hmm.  Perhaps, God's question could be rephrased as "Adam (and Eve), do you know where you are?"  ....Or, "Adam (and Eve), where are you in our relationship?"

‍Its the same question God asks us....

"Roger, do you know where you are?"

"(Your Name), where are you in our relationship?"

Think about this for a moment before continuing.

Since the beginning of time, God has wanted a trusting, loyal relationship with us humans, His creation.  Still does.  Always will.  ....That's why scripture says...

Just as you trusted Christ to save you, trust Him, too, for each day’s problems; live in vital union with Him.  Let your roots grow down into Him and draw up nourishment from Him.  See that you go on growing in the Lord, and become strong and vigorous in the truth you were taught.  Let your lives overflow with joy and thanksgiving for all He has done.
    — Colossians 2:6-7 TLB

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Stay close to Jesus....

So, ...as we learn about living a Biblical worldview, think about all the help God wants to give you today ....just by asking Him!

Jesus said, “Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to Me.  Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life.  I’ll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
    — Matthew 11:28-30 MSG

.......If you ever mess up, want a "do-over", ....need some serious help from God to fix something, ....just know this old guy, Roger, has been there before with my own life issues.  ....SMILE.  ....So, don't hide from God.  He already knows everything.  ....Continue listening for His voice, because...

My heart has heard you say, “Where are you?  Come and talk with me.
”And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”  
    — Psalm 27:8 NLT with Genesis 3:9 NLT

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Keep walking with me....

As you read these Know Your Worldview pages, please accept them as simply this Grandfather walking along beside you and pointing in the direction I'm traveling.  I want you to come with me, ....and to "know" your Biblical worldview, so you can make good choices in life.  ....AND TRUST GOD!

My prayer for you....

"I have not stopped thanking God for you.  ...Asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might GROW IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. ....I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.  
    — Ephesians 1:16-18 NLT

.......Thanks for walking with me.  There's more to talk about....  SMILE.

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^{*Credits: reach for apple image anonymous / child hiding behind tree image from pinterest}