Forbidden Fruit
Thursday, April 19, 2007
"It can't be that bad," Adam thought.
When God had created Adam his first and only stipulation was that Adam not eat the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. But, the tree looked so good and healthy, how could it be that bad? Then the news that it would make one wise! Adam couldn't stand it, his wife had taken it and she wasn't dead. So, he took it. You know the rest. Now the application.
The key missing factor is this: how vast were Adam's surroundings. How wonderful would it be to be in God's presence daily? How many millions of other trees were there, and yet, Adam had to eat the one forbidden tree.
There are certain things in my life that I am forbidden to do. Some things at school, that are limitations on what I can and can't do, and you know what? I complain about them. Now...let's zoom out. How many things can I do? Well, now instead of being able to list just a couple pet peeves of things I can't do, the options are limitless. How many years of my life can I spend on discovering new things, reading edifying books, exploring creation, and all sorts of other things I can do. I can walk, I can jump, I can see beautiful things that wouldn't be possible without God. So, why am I so stuck on things I can't do. I know why...two things: My flesh, My adversary (that is the devil). Satan and his minions would stop at nothing in order to get me to look at what I can't do. So, I must focus on what I can do, not what I can't.
So easy to type, yet so hard to practice. The Lord had rebuked me, may he rebuke you also.
Posted by The Dave 9:17 PM
That's a really good point. I know that I struggle a lot with complaining about stuff I can't do when in reality there's so much more that I can do with God. All of your posts are always so encouraging to me. It seems like you always have such a positive outlook on things. Thanks for that. Bye, see you tomorrow.