Genesis 3:2–6 ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’ (v5)
The heart of sin is the belief that God cannot be trusted to look after us. Look at the Ten Commandments and see how the breaking of the prohibitions suggests we need to take matters into our own hands.
For example, we may think God won’t provide, so we need to steal… The serpent suggests that God is withholding good things by denying them the fruit, and they fall for it.
In many ways the whole of Scripture provides a series of case studies of how God can be trusted. Not once have any of His unconditional promises failed.
Theologians argue over what exactly the knowledge of good and evil is. Certainly, what seems attractive indeed results in death: spiritual death of humans’ relationship with God leading to physical death in time.
Harmony between God and humanity is shattered, symbolised by Adam and Eve’s banishment from the garden of Eden.
Every day we are bombarded with messages suggesting that our needs will be better met if we took matters into your own hands – if you had ‘x’ life would be better is the subtle message.
Sometimes it is! But within our consumerist world, we choose to trust God. He may of course provide that thing (!) but, much more, He is looking to meet our deeper needs.
When we have thoughts that a person, a job, a role a should be ours if only God would release us, we are really back in the garden with Eve. If that happens today. You know what to do.
A Prayer To Make:
Lord, how wonderful You are as a promise-keeping God. I look to You afresh for You to fulfil what You promise to me. Amen.
An Action To Take:
Consider your actions in this last week. Was a lack of trust in God at the heart of any of them?
Scripture To Consider:
Exod. 20:1–17; Josh. 21:43–45; 2 Cor. 1:18–22; Heb. 11:32–40
