The Deception (i)
God has established guidelines for our lives. If we insist on bending the rules, it will result in our own destruction. These rules were not made just to frustrate us, but rather to keep us safe. Sin kills. Disobedience is sin, and it will always result in tragedy. Let us establish in our hearts that God is good, His ways are all righteous and true, and it is for our good that He has established the guidelines by which we should live. If we desire understanding, let us ask for the sake of becoming more perfect in our obedience.
We should also note that the Tree of Knowledge is in the middle of the Garden. This is also indicative of the primary result of eating its fruit—self-centeredness. When Adam and Eve ate from it, the first thing that they did was look at themselves. God-centeredness leads to life, while self-centeredness leads to death. The final push of the serpent to get the woman to eat the forbidden fruit was to get her to think that God was withholding something that she needed to feel complete. If the enemy can get us to focus on ourselves, especially on real or perceived personal inadequacies, we will then be easy prey for deception.
- As you gain understanding of the power and value of each part of the Holy Trinity, your spiritual foundation is strengthened. Ask the Lord to increase understanding of the Trinity.
- Starting with yourself, ask Him to show the church areas where we have downplayed one part of the Holy Trinity and given prominence to others. e.g, some disregard the power, importance and role of the Holy Spirit, others disregard the Father, others disregard Jesus Christ.