A 'Simple' Lie

Throughout the course of a single day the average person is exposed to over 600
advertisements and some studies suggest that number could rise to as many as 3000! A personal
pet peeve is the amount of commercials I am subjected to while trying to enjoy any sporting
event. Impossible to miss during any game are the numerous alcohol commercials competing
for my attention. While it is expected to see alcohol companies promote their product during
a sporting event I cannot help but notice the promise of a “good time” that permeates these
advertisements. Of course it is not surprising that these companies choose to leave out the
consequences produced from drinking, this wouldn’t be very good for business. The allure of
sin operates in this fashion; promising something to be good while attempting to cover over
the destructive consequences that it produces. What greater assault against those bearing God’s
image than to present something that is evil as something that is good?

Satan’s first attack upon God’s creation establishes itself in this very manner (Gen
3:1-5). ‘Did God really say’ are the first words out of the deceiver’s mouth, and while initially
the question seems innocent enough the implications are significant. Satan planting seeds of
doubt into the mind of Eve enabled her to look at that which was forbidden as something
desirable (v. 6). The questioning towards Eve is helpful to see how Satan chooses to attack the
people of God through a subtle change to God’s original command regarding the garden. Shall
you not eat of any tree in the Garden? God never makes this statement; in fact He says quite the
opposite. He has told them that they may eat freely of any tree. It is only the tree of knowledge
they may not eat from (2:16-17). It is not an outright dismissal of what God has said, but in
challenging God’s precepts one stands against God. Eve takes the bait and begins her decent into
sin. She begins a dialogue with the serpent and adds to the command of God by stating she may
not even touch the tree, another statement never uttered by Yahweh. The addition falsely
portrays God as strict, and to a degree oppressive. Satan’s response that they shall not die
includes only the addition of one word to God’s command, which is enough to radically alter the
meaning. Satan still is telling a half-truth, their eyes will be opened, but he is misleading them to
believe the results will be beneficial, not destructive. It is imperative to take heed of this tactic in
order to recognize it in our own lives. Removing judgment from an action is an appealing option,
but it is never ours to make. Satan’s attack is directly against God’s word and how one should
respond is given in the example of Jesus’ answer to the same manner of attack (Luke 4:2-13).
Jesus replies with the correct statement of scripture, not an altered version as Eve did. She
accepted Satan’s lie and replaced God’s truth in order to achieve personal “progress.” Eve saw
the fruit in a different light, no longer was it forbidden but desirable. What a greater difficultly it
becomes to escape sin when we no longer understand something as wrongful but begin to see it
in a desirable light. What a difference between the pronouncements God makes about what is
good to what Eve sees as good. The desire for self-improvement has now cast away God’s
warning and rendered it irrelevant to both Adam and Eve. Adam who was with her is far from
free regarding responsibility here as he willingly participates and does nothing to stand in the
way of this fatal choice. After partaking of the fruit the eyes of both of them were opened. Indeed
they have received the guarantee of the promise, but its effects are catastrophically different to
what was portrayed. The high hopes of Satan’s promise end in absolute disappointment and
shame.

Just like the promise of “good times” given by alcohol commercials, sin packages itself
in this manner. We find the precepts of God challenged and begin to question if these actions
really are worthy of judgement. What should be a clear line regarding what is right and what is
wrong continually is being pushed back when we diminish the corrosive effects of sin. It is a
great injustice when we fail to recognize the effects of sin and refuse to not only combat it in our
own lives, but in the lives of others as well. We are faced with the constant danger of relying on
what “feels” right or pursuing something that seems “desirable.” Thankfully through Christ we
have been saved from our sin (1 John 1:7) and have been given the gift of God’s Word to guide
us in “training for righteousness” (2 Tim 3:16-17). Thankfully because of Christ we are able to
be cleansed from our sin and through the waters of baptism our old selves die in the process.
Although we will still sin (1 John 1:8) we must strive to put sin to death in our lives (Col 3:5ff).
The warning is that Satan will continue to try and alter God’s word on the matter by attempting
to diminish the significance of sin by stating that we shall surely not die.

Trusting God's Promises

What does it take to trust someone? I’m sure most of us have heard it said: “Trust is
earned, not given” and although this is a famous and often recited quote one has to wonder how
healthy the author’s own relationships were by living through this maxim. These words almost
seem to be a reaction to others failing to uphold their own promises in the author’s life. This
is understandable. We have a natural tendency to react negatively when we have been hurt or
when people let us down. Of course this doesn’t justify the principle or make it right. Trust is
an essential ingredient in the recipe of any working relationship, and it certainly doesn’t seem
Christ-like to cause others to continually earn our trust before we ‘righteously’ dispense it to
whomever we have deemed worthy. Imagine if God made us earn His trust! If this were the case
we would all fail miserably, but thankfully this is not the case.

God has given us numerous promises, yet, has God earned our trust?! Sure we can all,
quite easily, respond with a resounding “YES!” but do we really believe this? Is this evident
in our lives daily? This surely isn’t easy, but that does not render it a useless endeavor. A great
deal can hinder our walk with Christ and a lack of trust in our Creator is definitely one of them.
We must remember that we have an unrelenting enemy always seeking to “devour us” (1 Pet
5:8). Moreover, as the father of lies he is constantly challenging the promises of God, “Did God
actually say . . .” (Gen 3:1). This is a daily battle for each and every one of us which must be
recognized.

Consider the example of Abraham, who after receiving the wonderful promise from God
regarding his future failed to trust God and lied to Pharaoh about Sarah being his sister, repeating
this error with Abimelech (Gen 12:11-13; 20:1-2).Despite the knowledge Abraham possessed
about the promise God had given him, fear clouded this and brought him to forsake it. The result
was calamity being brought upon Pharaoh’s house, and Abimelech receiving a sharp warning
from God. Sarah also exhibited a lack of trust when she offered her maidservant to Abraham in
order that “she may obtain children through her” (Gen 16:2). The result was an unhealthy family
situation where Hagar and her son Ishmael were eventually forced to leave.

Isaac’s dealings with his sons Jacob and Esau are another tragic example
concerning the failure to trust God’s promise. In Genesis 25:23 we are given a wonderful
prophecy given by God to Rebekah regarding the twins in her womb; Esau would serve Jacob. A
simple promise, yet unnecessarily complex due to the unwillingness of the parties involved to
fully trust in God. This lack of trust almost brings the family to ruins. Esau filled with contempt
towards his brother and wished to kill him. Consequently, Jacob must flee and his mother will
never see him again. If only the family had trusted in God’s promise this tragic situation could
have been avoided. When we decide to implement our own plan over that of our Sovereign
Lord’s we are begging for trouble. God’s plan will be accomplished, regardless of what we think
or feel. We must be on board with His plan lest we run into unnecessary tribulation or spiritual
ruin. Often if we pray that His will be done but do we really mean this? What if that means
tribulation is to enter our life? Do we have the attitude of “though He slay me, I will hope in
Him” (Job 13:15). Our Lord has promised us a place in heaven, what a wonderful and incredible
promise! The only reasonable response to this promise is to hand our lives over to God so that
we may become living sacrifices (Rom 12:1). We must trust that God is always working to the
good of all who serve Him (Rom 8:28). When our lives fill with anxiety and worry do we
remember His promise that He will provide? (Matt 6:25-34) Are we filled with guilt from the
mistakes and poor choices of our past, maybe even those from yesterday? Be quick to remember
that God is quick to forgive all who seek His immeasurable forgiving power. For our God is a
loving God, full of compassion, grace and mercy. If we truly believe this, and trust this, our lives
will be transformed. We will be shaped according to the will of God and prepared for His work.
Our focus will be to glorify His Name in all that we do and the circumstances of our lives will be
far less difficult to overcome.

A great example to study is the life of Joseph, who when sold into slavery by his brothers
was taken to Egypt and would even end up in prison for his refusal to sleep with his master’s
wife. It is difficult to imagine Joseph sitting in prison full of joy and confidence that God would
deliver him from these circumstances. Yet, through the words of Joseph we have some of the
most beautiful passages of scripture regarding what it means to trust God. In Genesis 45 after
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers he tells them “do not be grieved or angry with yourselves,
because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life . . . it was not you who
sent me here, but God” (45:5-8). What a wonderful example of trusting in our Father. No
matter how bleak the situation, no matter how dark things may seem, we can rest assured that
the Creator of all loves us deeply and will never forsake us. Trust fully in the simple fact that
nothing can separate us from the love of our Lord Jesus Christ (Rom 8:38-39).