Alternative View - May 11, 2017
Satan Poses the Question
In His Presence: Genesis 3
Since God placed man on this planet, Satan has been determined to deceive man about the nature of God and God’s words to us. In the Garden of Eden, Satan began his plan by talking to Eve. “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1). Satan raised a question about God’s command. Notice that he used the word “not.” He skipped over the first part of God’s statement and focused on the restriction. He didn’t want Eve to be thinking about God’s goodness. He wanted God to appear harsh and restrictive.
What God actually said was: “TheLord God commanded the man, saying, ‘From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die’ ” (Genesis 2:16-17). The first thing God told Adam was what he could do. All the fruit was good for the picking, and Adam could eat freely of the trees. He could eat whatever he wanted to eat whenever he wanted to eat. Of all the trees in the garden, and there were probably hundreds of trees, he was only restricted from one tree.
Especially for those of us who live in the United States, we have so much that is good. As much as we are able, we are free to pursue a good life and liberty. We can go after what makes us happy.
One Minute Please
In spite of what Satan wants, we should be thinking about God’s goodness.
Source: Sermon Notes, July 6, 2003.
Watch Online Videos of Dr. Tony Evans and The Urban Alternative at LightSource.com
and
Listen to Dr. Tony Evans Online Broadcasts at OnePlace.com.
Weighed down by emotional strongholds, depression, anger, anxiety or others? In this new 5 CD compilation, Tony offers you a solution. You'll also get Tony's new book, Overcoming Addictive Behavior, as a thanks for your gift of any amount. You CAN embrace healing and find liberation. Request your CD series and brand new book with your gift of any amount.
