Forbidden Fruit – No Means No

Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Genesis 2-8:9 NIV

The Lord created everything, without exception. This doesn’t mean he intends everything, for everyone. When he specifically says “It’s not for you” – it’s not for you!

The Bible goes on to say:

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.” Genesis 2-15-17 NIV

How many times have we heard his gentle voice, telling us what we already know, that something we want or desire, is not for us or is simply wrong?

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’” “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Genesis 3-1:6 NIV

What happened in the garden, happens to us all. It’s common, but not always as easily seen. God tells us, “No,” the enemy says “Really?” and we often justify our unwillingness to obey.

God has a plan for each and every one of us, and his plan is perfect. While God does not need to prove this to us, he gives us many biblical examples. Often times what he allows for one, he doesn’t allow for another.

Eve’s fall, much as our own, was fueled by pride and lust. These are two things that God does NOT want in our heart, and two things that the evil one uses against all of us, very successfully at times. We often see the “forbidden fruit” as only what Eve and Adam both devoured, and it’s ultimate effect- the fall of man! But the things we chose to “devour,” that which we know the Lord has said no to in our lives, can eventually lead to the same thing. We need be careful, as we can just as easily be devoured, if we succumb to the temptations of our lust or pride. These the enemy will throw out to us daily!

It is written:

When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1-13-15 NIV

As we can most assuredly see, our desires can lead, ultimately, to our own “fall.”

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

But ultimately God, as he always does, gives us a reason to avoid the pains involved in these “falls”- Hope!

He says, in the beginning:

So the Lord God said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, “Cursed are you above all livestock and all wild animals! You will crawl on your belly and you will eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” Genesis 3:14-15 NIV

Who is Eve’s offspring? He is Our Hope!

Jesus Christ our Lord!

God gave us all another chance, when he made this promise. Let this promise be enough to run from temptation when he says “No”.

 

Peace be with you….

Barnabas

 

Special thanks for this guest submission by Barnabas.