The Spiritual "Flat Earth" Model

Recently, I have noticed a lot of “Flat Earth” videos on You Tube.  People believe that the earth is flat – I’m not kidding.  They’ve crossed over from the common understanding that the earth orbits the sun and that the planets are globes.  This is something that was discovered and reasoned out by Copernicus in 1543.  But now, in 2016, once again, the debate rages.  The idea stems from the conspiracy theory that NASA faked the moon landings:  That no one has ever reached the moon.  The most common “Flat Earth” argument is this:  “NASA lied; the photos from the International Space Station are CGI.”

The problem is that if listen to their arguments they include a combination of a misunderstanding of perspective, a misuse of practical geometry and other things.  In short, they have rejected what is perceived to be scientific fact and embraced a lie, and I'll tell you there is no debating of scientific principle with them; they have no understanding of that.  They just accuse you of being a NASA shill or a sheep. 

In our day and hour, in the church, we have seen people rejecting the truth of God’s word and by rejecting that, they’re accepting the lies of false doctrines.  Today, I want to look at these things from this portion of scripture:

John 14:16-17 (NKJV)
^14:16 And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever-- ¹⁷ the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

Embracing the Lie

At first glance the “Flat Earth” movement seems harmless.  The proponents are doing their little experiments.  They’re launching their “Go-Pro” cameras on weather balloons.  They’re using lasers to measure the curvature of bodies of water.  They’re drawing single plane triangles on globes, applying single plane geometry to a curved surface, which doesn’t work.  They’re making slick you tube videos to convince people.

The sad part is that it is a failure of the US educational system.  In the US educators have become social engineers.  They’ve stepped away from educating and have put their energy into changing society.

We have to be careful in the church, that we don’t remove our focus from the Word of God and place it on the changes taking place in our society: Embracing the policies of the world and neglecting to apply the truth of scripture to our lives.  We must remember this:

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NKJV)
^3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, ¹⁷ that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 

The word of God is inerrant truth.  We hear the argument, “The Bible was written by men and so it can’t always be correct.”  The Bible was written by men INSPIRED by God.  God has used these men as tools to give us His word.  God is incapable of lying.

It’s a strategy of the devil to cause us to doubt the word of God.  When we doubt the word of God we end up lifting up the philosophies of men, and make God a liar.

Romans 3:3-4 (NKJV)
^3:3 For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? ⁴ Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: "That You may be justified in Your words, And may overcome when You are judged."

Then truth is still the truth.

Satan used this strategy of causing doubt in the very earliest moments of human history.  This is how he caused the fall of mankind – Let’s examine that:

Genesis 3:1-3 (NKJV)
^3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" ² And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' "

The Bible tells us that the devil is cunning.  That word cunning means that he is able to use trickery.  He’s good at it.  It’s something that he uses for his purposes.  He begins to do that with Eve, “Did God really say..?” He’s saying, “What?  I can’t believe God said that to you.”  Then:

Genesis 3:4-5 (NKJV)
^3:4 Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Here he says, straight out. That God lied.  “God’s a liar – You’ll not surely die. He just doesn’t want you to be like him.”

Genesis 3:6 (NKJV)
^3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

The devil lied and mankind died!  The liar was the serpent, but Eve believed that lie.

The Bible is full of truths:

Fornicators will not enter the Kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9).  That’s a truth.

You must be born again:  Experience a change of heart about sin (John 3:3).  That’s a truth.

Jesus is God.  He is God made man. (John 1:14)  That’s a truth.  

There are many others, but people pick and choose and apply only certain ones, just like the “Flat Earth” crowd and because of that they believe the lie.

A Spiritual Flat Earth Model

Some interesting flat earth beliefs:

1.        The sun and the moon rotate on a flat plane over the earth.  They are supposedly four thousand miles up into the “Star Dome.”

2.        The Stars are arranged in a “dome” over the earth.

3.        Antarctica is a ring around the earth that keeps the ocean from falling off the edge.

But in order to believe those things you must reject things that are observable, for instance:

1.        The sun rises and sets.  It comes up and it goes down.

2.        The moon eclipses.  A round object passes across the front of it.

3.        The sun eclipses.  The light of the sun is blocked.

4.        The stars in the Southern Hemisphere can’t be seen in the Northern Hemisphere.  It they are in a dome with Polaris in the center we should be able to see all of the stars.

5.        Antarctica can be crossed.  It isn’t a ring, it’s a continent.

There are so many observable phenomena that must be ignored in order to believe this, that it can’t be anything but an unflinching refusal to believe the truth.

Since the beginning people have refused to believe in God.  Look at this:

 Romans 1:18-20 (NKJV)
^1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,

“There are those who suppress the truth.”  That word “suppress” means to exclude from consciousness.  In other words, you refuse to believe it.  The scripture says that God’s invisible attributes can clearly be seen since the creation of the world.  So there are spiritual “Flat Earthers” who see what is clearly observable and overlook it.  They refuse to believe the evidence of the existence of God.  In the same way as those who refuse to see accept the shape of the earth even when the evidence of a global earth can clearly be seen.

Those people doubt God’s existence, so they don’t give any authority to His word.  They pick and choose what “truths” to believe and they begin to mix their own philosophies with the truths of God.  How many times have you heard truths of the Bible perverted?  For example, the Bibles says no one enters the Kingdom of God except through Jesus (John 14:6), but how many times have you heard, “Yahweh, Buddha, Allah, they’re just different names for the same God;” or, “If I’m a good person I’ll go to Heaven.”  All of these thoughts are spiritual Flat Earth Models. 

When you refuse to believe the truth you can use your own imagination to fill in the blanks.

Romans 1:21-23 (NKJV)
^1:21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Why are there so many different religions?  Because there’s no limit to imagination, the more people you have the more different religious philosophies you can imagine.  The Flat Earth model is nonsense – it’s foolishness.  The Bible says when we reject the truth we will develop foolish philosophies. 

“Professing to be wise they became fools, changing the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man.” 

It is a suppression of the truth and I want you to know there are consequences for suppressing the truth.

Romans 1:24-25 (NKJV)
^1:24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, ²⁵ who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

These are people who worship their bodies.  They throw away modesty; they sexualize everything.  These are people who are hooked on pornography.  They’re men, who see every woman as a sexual conquest.  They’re women who look at men solely as a source of sensual pleasure.  They’re people who blur the lines of gender accepting anything; hedonists seeking only pleasure.

Romans 1:26-28 (NKJV)
^1:26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. ²⁷ Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. ²⁸ And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;

In a mind where truth and authority of scripture is overlooked, there is no moral absolute.  In the absence of morality any act, no matter how depraved, becomes possible.

Genocide – destruction of a nationality or race of people.

Abortion – Murder of society’s most innocent.

Transgenderism – You don’t even believe your own body.

These things are a spiritual Flat Earth model.

Resisting the Lies:

Foe the last several months, I've been carefully considering the thought process that leads to a Flat Earth model.  I’ve listened attentively to their arguments.  I’ve attempted to refute logical fallacies.  I’ve even spent time examining the mathematics that accurately explains the Global Earth Model.

To me this kind of discussion is interesting; it’s scientific.  That's always appealed to me; I majored in Biology in the university.  The problem is that it seems like science, but it’s all based on faulty logic incorrect mathematical application, a refusal to believe the easily observable, and a complete lack of understanding of Physics.  In short, it’s not science, it’s pseudoscience. It sounds like science but it’s not.  It’s imagination.

Those who reject the authority of the Bible, creating their own spiritual philosophy that sears the conscience and makes it possible for them to participate in sin without guilt, are involved in something that seems like spirituality, but isn’t.  It’s pseudo-spirituality.  There is a way to resist these arguments.  Immerse yourself in the truth.  Read; study your Bible.  Know what God said.  Eve believed the lie because she didn’t understand clearly what God had said.  Look:

Genesis 3:1-3 (NKJV)
^3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" ² And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' "

God clearly said, “If you EAT the fruit you will surely die.”  He didn’t mention touching it.  That was Eve’s interpretation.  We have to be careful of NEW interpretations of God’s word.  We need to know what God has really said.  The Bible is straightforward and clear.  If we aren’t careful to know the truth, we can be easily deceived by carefully spoken words and slick presentations.  Be on guard – know your Bible.

When Jesus was tempted he turned the devil back with the words of scripture, “It is written…”  When the devil attempted to twist scriptures, Jesus called him on it.  He knew completely the word of God.  He studied it.  He memorized it and spoke it.  Following the scriptures in church and in Bible study isn’t enough.  You have to devour the word of God.  Meditate on the word of God.  Know the truth and reject the lie.

Can These Dry Bones Live?

There are highs and lows in life right?  Have you ever experienced a “mountaintop” experience?  The place where it feels as if God is moving powerfully just for you?  That place where all feels right in your life?  That’s a mountaintop experience, but there are also valleys in life.  There are valleys in your walk with God.  There are times when it feels as if you’re alone. It feels as if God has left you for dead.

You become discouraged.  You don’t have the victory.  The valley’s a cold place.  It’s the last place the sun reaches in the morning.  How often in life do we find ourselves in that kind of place?

Today, in our text God speaks to that:

Ezekiel 37:1-10 (NKJV)
^37:1 The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. ² Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. ³ And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord God, You know." ⁴ Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! ⁵ Thus says the Lord God to these bones: "Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live. ⁶ I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord." ' " ⁷ So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone. ⁸ Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them. ⁹ Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord God: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." ' " ¹⁰ So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.

  

The Dry Bones

God sets Ezekiel into the valley.  The valley isn't the mountaintop.  It’s a low place.  It can be a difficult place.  There’s no vision in the valley; all you can see are the edges of the valley.

It’s not like the mountaintop.  You can see the power of God on the mountaintop.  You can see the larger vision on the mountaintop.  You can see the work of God.  It isn't hemmed in – vision isn't limited. 

The mountaintop is the place where you meet with God.  Moses met with God on the mountaintop.  Abraham saw God’s provision on the mountaintop.  The mountaintop is the place where you find yourself in the presence of God.  God revealed Himself to Elijah on the mountain top.

The valley is the lowest place.  It’s the place from where we have to climb.  When we’re in the valley we often struggle.  In our text, the valley is the place of the dry bones:  The place of death and failure; the place of discouragement. 

Psalms 42:5 (NKJV)
^42:5 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him For the help of His countenance.

Why are you cast down, O my soul?  Why are you discouraged?  The psalmist is discouraged.  His soul is no longer on the mountaintop, it has been cast down into the valley. 

Psalms 23:4a (NKJV)
^23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…

This is the place Ezekiel has come to, the valley of Death:  the place of the dry bones.  God has brought him here to show him something.  “Can these dry bones live?”  Ezekiel says, “I don’t know – You know God.”  How much is he like us?  God is asking him, “Is the impossible, possible?”  Ezekiel doesn't know – He can’t see the possibility. 

It’s easy to believe in God’s power on the mountaintop.  When you’re on the mountaintop you can believe God for anything, but what about when you’re in the valley and you’re up against the facts.  Those bones are dead!  It isn't easy to believe they can live.  It’s hard to see the possibilities when everything that you can see is dead.  When you’re struggling it isn't easy to believe that God can do the impossible for you.  Can these bones live?  God says they can.

Ezekiel is in the valley, he’s looking over the bones:  They’re dead; they’re lifeless.  There’s no movement.  There’s no momentum.  Nothing’s happening.  They’re scattered all over the valley.  They can’t be put back together again.

Ezekiel isn't seeing the power of God at this moment.  He’s seeing only death and failure.  He’s seeing only discouragement, and God asks him, “Can these bones live?”  Can these dry bones live?  God says they can!  God tells him, “Prophesy!”

Prophesy

Prophecy isn't just telling the future.  Prophecy is speaking the Word of God.  God would give the words to the prophets, and they would speak them to the people:  Straight from God’s mouth to the ears of the people.  “Thus says the Lord God to these bones…” God speaks into the problems and disappointments in people’s lives.

Can these bones live?  God says they can!  It’s something He will do.  It’s something that comes through the Word of God.  God will give them life.  God will raise them up.  That’s sounds like preacher talk, but it isn't.  God has the power to raise you up out of the valley of your circumstances.  God can make the dead bones in your life live. 

The failures:  The times when you wanted to live the will of God for your life, but failed.  The disappointment, the betrayals, the hurts:  The times when you thought God wasn't there for you.  When you had needs that seemed to go unmet.  You can stand in the middle of THAT valley in despair; stationary, immobile, paralyzed and you won’t see anything happen.  You can’t get to the mountaintop, if you don’t move forward.  God says “Prophesy!”  Speak the words of God.  God doesn't speak failure; God speaks life. 

John 6:66-68 (NKJV)
^6:66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. ⁶⁷ Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" ⁶⁸ But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.

Jesus has just come off the mountain.  He’s been on the mountain with His disciples (John 6:3).  While He’s there he feeds five thousand men and their families; a powerful miracle.  They can see the power of God:  They believe Him.  On the mountain you can believe.  Then, He leaves the mountain, crosses the sea.  He’s in a low place now.  He’s in the valley, and the people come to Him again.

He begins to preach.  He speaks to them about the Bread of Life, but they have come for the material bread, and they can’t believe.  “This is a hard saying, who can believe it?”  So, they leave.  He’s in the valley.  It’s a valley of dry bones.  It looks like failure; everybody has left.  So he turns to the disciples, and says what?  Are you leaving, too?  Are you giving up, too?  You can see their response in verse 68:

John 6:68 (NKJV)
^6:68 But Simon Peter answered Him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. (emphasis mine)

“Where would we go, You have the words of Eternal Life.”  God speaks LIFE – Dry bones LIVE in the Word of God.  Prophesy!  Speak life into your circumstances.  Speak life into your failures.  Speak life into your despair and disappointments.  Don’t dwell on what isn't happening.  Speak what CAN happen.  Don’t get stuck on the dry bones.  Speak what God has promised.  God said to the dry bones, live, and they came together.  It was something God did, but Ezekiel had a role to play.  Ezekiel had to speak the words.  Ezekiel had to prophesy.

God did it.  The Word of God touched them.  They moved and rattled and came together.  The Word of God touched them.  The Word of God moved them.  The words spoken by Ezekiel brought them together, but it was the Spirit of God that gave them life.  It was something that God did.

Ezekiel spoke the words that activated a move of God.  Ezekiel spoke the words that activated the Spirit of God and the Spirit gave them life.  God did it; God moved.  It isn't any power in Ezekiel.  Ezekiel didn't do a miracle.  He was only obedient to speak the Word of God and the Spirit of God made them live.

It’s really hard sometimes, isn't it?  We don’t see anything happening.  We’re struggling with the same problems day after day.  We’re stuck; we’re not getting anywhere and we begin to speak out of our bitterness.

“It’s not going to work out.”

“God brought us out here to die.”

We begin to speak words of failure and disappointment.  We begin to speak defeat.  We’re not speaking life into our circumstances.  We’re speaking death.  We’re prophesying failure.  We’re speaking of the dry bones.  God calls us to command life. 

“With men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Those dead bones can live.  Prophesy!  Speak life!

An Exceedingly Great Army

Finally, our text tells us that when the bones came alive they were an exceedingly great army.  An army represents a nation’s power.  An army is made up of individuals who become one powerful unit.  An army is the sum total of the strength of individuals.

The dry bones of failure, disappointment, and struggle; while they are still dry bones there’s no power there.  While we’re seeing those things as dry bones they have no power.  They represent only death, but after a move of God they lend their strength to an army.  What you’re struggling with now, what you see as weakness now, can be turned into strength.  As we overcome, as we struggle through things, after we have gone through them we are made stronger.  We become more powerful. Failure can make you stronger if you press through it.  Disappointment can be turned into hope.  Despair can be turned into resolve.

Once those bones came alive they were able to move.  They were no longer stationary; no longer scattered.  They became a powerful army.  Now they have the power to move.  Now they can ascend the mountain.  Now they can rise out of the low place.  Now there's strength and power available.  Can these bones live?  God says they can! 

If you want to see victory, you have to do something.  You can’t sit around and wait for God to move.  You can’t sit around despairing over all the problems.  You have to do something.  It’s up to you to activate a move of God in your life.  It’s up to you to stop dwelling on despair and defeat.  If you prophesy that nothing will happen…then nothing WILL happen. But if you speak the power of God into that despair, then a miraculous change can take place.

Ezekiel was in that valley pondering the future of Israel.  The bones represent the nation of Israel.

Ezekiel 37:11 (NKJV)
^37:11 Then He said to me, "Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. They indeed say, 'Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we ourselves are cut off!'

Is that you?  Is that what you say?  Our bones are dry, our hope is lost, and we’re cut off or separated from God?  Are you feeling like you've been left for dead?  Are you feeling like you’re hopeless to overcome the problems and struggles in your life?  Are you wondering where God is?  Has He forsaken you?  Are you feeling like dry bones?

If you do then you’re like Ezekiel.  He doesn't know if they can live again.  He’s not sure if God can do something.  He sees only the bones he doesn't see the possibilities.  He doesn't know if the dry bones can live, but God knows.  God hasn't left them for dead.  He raised them – dry bones CAN live.  The Spirit of God can bring them to life.  Contend for the Spirit of God.  Prophesy – Speak Life!

Chris' Letters to the Taiwanians: Second Taiwanians

Editor’s Note:  The title of this comes from this being the second sermon in a series called, “Chris’ letters to the Taiwanians.”  They are both on the subject of Bible Reading and Study.  They are called “First Taiwanians”, and “Second Taiwanians.” 

A few years ago a test was given to five classes high school seniors.  Most of them failed the exam, completely.  Some were so confused that they thought Sodom and Gomorrah were lovers, or that Matthew, Mark, Luther and John wrote the Gospels.  Other said that Eve was created from an apple, and that the stories that Jesus used in teaching were called parodies.  More than eighty percent of the students couldn't complete such familiar quotations as “Many are called but few are______”, or “A soft answer turneth away _______.”

It is pretty obvious that these students weren't Bible scholars or even Bible readers.  One of the difficulties a pastor faces out in the field, is encouraging people to read their Bibles, faithfully.  We want them to know the Word of God and understand God’s will for their lives, but to know God they need to understand God’s Word; His message to His people.  In this post I want to show you that knowing your scripture, knowing what the Word of God says can protect you in times of trial and tribulation.

Genesis 3:1-7 (NKJV)
^3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Has God indeed said, 'You shall not eat of every tree of the garden'?" ² And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' " ⁴ Then the serpent said to the woman, "You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." ⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

How Easily Fooled

This is a very familiar passage of scripture.  This is where it all started; the very first instance of sin; the very first act of disobedience.  It is interesting to note how Eve was fooled by the devil.   He lied, she fell for it and took the whole human race down.  To borrow a phrase from the anti-war movement:  he lied – people died.

Look how this happened:  We find out the serpent is cunning; wily; sneaky.  We know, though, that this isn't just a serpent but the devil in disguise.  He comes to Eve and asks a really sneaky question – “Did God really say…”.  He’s asking, “Are you really sure that God said that?” 

Did God really say, “You shall not eat from EVERY Tree of the Garden?  Did He really say that?” 

I think the way he asks that is interesting.  God said they could eat of all the trees in the Garden except one, so they can’t eat from every tree in the Garden.  The question is really a twist of what God said.

Now look at Eve’s answer:

Genesis 3:2-3 (NKJV)
^3:2 And the woman said to the serpent, "We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, 'You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.' "

The only problem with that answer is that that isn't what God said.  God didn't say that.  Look what God did say:

Genesis 2:16-17 (NKJV)
^2:16 And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, "Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die."

So, Eve isn't accurate about the Word of God.  She’s not really sure what God did say, so she’s open to be misled.  She can be easily fooled because she’s not sure of the Word of God in this moment of temptation. 

Think about this.  Are there things in society that tempt you away from God’s will?  Things like, “We’re in love, we’re living together.  We’re married in the eyes of God.”  The Bible is specific that fornication without marriage is sin, but we hear lies and twisted truths all the time and if we’re not sure of the Word of God then we’re unable to defend ourselves in an argument.

Benjamin Franklin loved to argue.  Occasionally, he would find himself overwhelmed by the arguments of his friends.  At such times he often would say, “Give me a day to think the matter over, for I am correct.”

Afterward, he would go to his printing shop and set up some type in the style of the Bible, and express his position in Bible language.  He would then return the next day and proudly proclaim:

“Whatever you may think you cannot get away from the fact that the Holy Scripture supports my arguments.  As it is said in the Book of John…” The ruse worked every time.

That trick can only work if you don’t know the Bible.  I once had a homeless man tell me that he was justified in living like he was because the Apostle Paul was homeless. (We know from reading the Bible that Paul worked as a tent maker.)  Then he told me a story that Paul was hungry and had no food, so he made a fire and boiled water, then he put rocks in the boiling water.  All of the people in the town near where Paul was came out and placed vegetables and meat in the pot, to make a nutritious soup.  I had heard a story similar to that one before, but I couldn't really remember the context of the story, or where it came from.  I stopped for a moment to think about it, realizing that it is an old Russian folk tale called, “Stone Soup.”  I knew my Bible and realized immediately, that it wasn't a biblical story, had I not known I may have been as easily fooled as that man apparently was.

In the Garden of Eden, the command God gave was not to eat the fruit.  He didn't say anything about not touching it.  The devil, emboldened, then says, “You shall not surely die.”  He’s saying God’s a liar.  If Eve knew the Word of God, if she was sure of the Word of God, this bold-faced lie would have been a red flashing warning to her.  It’s a lie but Eve wasn't alarmed, she didn't see it for what it was.  Knowing the TRUTH will keep you from believing the LIE.

Genesis 3:5 (NKJV)
^3:5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Now the devil begins to speak of God’s intentions.  He makes the lie bigger; he knows she doesn't know God’s words, so how can she be sure of God’s motivations.  She’s easily taken in by those words, especially, in light of what her eyes are telling her.

Genesis 3:5-6 (NKJV)
^3:5 For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." ⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.

Her eyes tell her what the devil is saying makes sense.  The fruit looks like it's good to be eaten, so she can’t understand why God would forbid it.  She may think the devil’s right, it will make her wise and that’s what God is trying to prevent.  “If it will make me like God…I’m eating it.”

This is the temptation that destroyed the human race, because it worked.  Think about what this is: 

Her eyes saw it…It looks so good, I've got to have it.

It appealed to her flesh…I can be so wise.

It appealed to her pride…I can be like God.

Have you ever been tempted in that way?  That’s where temptation comes from:  The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

1 John 2:16-17 (NKJV)
^2:16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

What happened to Eve is the classic temptation.  The history of every temptation that leads to sin is the same: 

The outward object of temptation – The thing you desire. The inward commotion of the mind – The confusion. The lust and then the triumph of getting what you want, followed by the degradation that comes from sin.  It’s all in the story of the first sin.  In this case, where it all came from was a lack of Bible knowledge and understanding.  I know Eve didn't have a Bible, but she had God’s words, straight from God’s mouth. 

She knew God.  She’d met God.  She’d spent time with God.  Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden.  It’s right here in Genesis chapter three.

Genesis 3:8 (NKJV)
^3:8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

They were familiar with the sound of God walking in the Garden because they had direct access to God.  Not being clear in the Word of God led to the corruption of the earth and to the death of all mankind.

Romans 5:12 (NKJV)
^5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned--

After the Sin Comes the Clarity

Someone once said, “God’s word is like a highway sign.  You don’t have to pay attention to it, if you don’t care what happens to you.”

God’s word is like a warning sign.  The sign is out there; it’s in place.  It’s there to protect you, but if you don’t read it, it can’t protect you. Most of us know right from wrong, but sometimes we don’t see clearly what’s going on.Eve is deceived by the devil.  She doesn't see through the lies.  She doesn't understand what the devil is trying to do.  She misses it completely until after the deed is done.  Once the sin is committed, the clarity comes.

Genesis 3:7 (NKJV)
^3:7 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.

Now, she has clarity.  Now she knows what she’s done, but it’s too late.  The deal is done.  The devil has his victory.  Death has come into the world.  What a sad, sad day.  Now you might say, “My sin will not cause the death of mankind..  Nothing I could do could have such grave consequences.”  You’re probably right.  After Eve’s sin there’s not much our individual sins can do to harm mankind, but you have to take this down to a personal level.  YOUR sin can destroy YOUR eternity.  Your example may lead others into the same sin.  You can bring death (Hell) into the lives of others.

The real problem that we have is like Eve’s; often we are so caught up in lies and deceptions that we don’t even realize that what we’re doing is sin until it’s too late.  Then the clarity comes in as we see the consequences of that sin kick in, as we stand before God.  Then we’ll have clarity.  Then we’ll realize what we've done, but like Eve it’ll be too late.

Imagine this for a moment…At some point Eve realized that people now face death, sickness and suffering because of what she did – How do you think that felt?  After the sin, her eyes were opened; she saw that she was naked.  She knew what had happened but she couldn't take it back.  It was too late and it’s the same for us.  We can repent and God will forgive us, but often the consequences of the sin have been released.  Those consequences must still be paid. 

Adam and Eve got back into a right relationship with God.  We see that later in their lives, as their children are raised to make offerings to God, but they never got back into the Garden and people still die.  The consequences remain.

The problem is when those consequences affect innocent people.  Our children often reap the consequences of our sin.  If you don’t believe that ask a kid whose parents divorced because one of the parents was unfaithful.  Ask a woman who feels worthless because of her husband’s addiction to pornography.  Ask a man who’s buried in debt because of his wife’s selfishness.  Ask a family whose child is dead because of a drunk driver. 

How much easier would life be if people read the warning sign?  Find the clarity before the sin by knowing and understanding God’s Word.  Know what He’s saying so when temptation comes, you won’t be easily swayed by persuasive words.  The second greatest gift we have been given by God is the Bible; the Word of God, so we can use it to defeat the temptations, twists and lies of the devil.  If only Eve had had that understanding things might have been a bit different.

The Bible has been Given to Help You

A little boy saw his father using a square to see if a board he was planning was straight.  “Why are you so careful, daddy?” 

“We can’t guess in carpenter work,” his dad said, “You have to be just right.  People guess at too many things.  God doesn't like that way of living.”

“I guess there are no squares for living by,” said the boy.

“Yes, there are squares to live by, you will find them in the Bible.  Test all that you do by them, and you go straight in life, my boy.”

This is some very good advice.  The bible was given to us so that we can understand God’s mercy and love for us, and God’s expectation for us.

If we will read and know our Bible, we will be able to fight off so much in the way of temptation.  Let’s look at Jesus’ example for a moment:

After Jesus’ baptism, He was led by the spirit into the desert and was tempted three times by Satan.

Luke 4:1-4 (NKJV)
^4:1 Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness, ² being tempted for forty days by the devil. And in those days He ate nothing, and afterward, when they had ended, He was hungry. ³ And the devil said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread." ⁴ But Jesus answered him, saying, "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.' "

The lust of the flesh – He was hungry, the temptation was to fill his stomach.  Look at how Jesus answered the devil.  He quoted scripture…”It is written.”

Luke 4:5-8 (NKJV)
^4:5 Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. ⁶ And the devil said to Him, "All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. ⁷ Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours." ⁸ And Jesus answered and said to him, "Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.' "

 The lust of the eyes – Look at the riches and power you can have.  Again, look at how Jesus answers.  He quoted scripture…”It is written.”  Finally:

Luke 4:9-12 (NKJV)
^4:9 Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. ¹⁰ For it is written: 'He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,' ¹¹ "and, 'In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.' " ¹² And Jesus answered and said to him, "It has been said, 'You shall not tempt the Lord your God.' "

The pride of life – You’re special God loves you more.  In fact, this is where the devil twists scripture.  Just like with Eve when he said, “Did God really say…?”  Jesus knows and understands God words.  He recognized the twist and he corrects him. 

He used God’s words to protect Himself from the temptations.  In order to do that, though, He had to know what it really said.  He had to study and memorize them.  He had to know which scriptures would be appropriate with which to respond.  If we want to be able to protect ourselves we need to be able to correctly discern what’s right and what’s wrong or we will be as easily fooled as Eve.

Someone once said, “Should all the people dust off their Bibles, we would have one of the greatest dust storms of all time.” 

Let’s begin that dust storm… forget about the environmentalists, the world is already corrupt because Eve didn't know the Word of God.  We can begin to make that right, by knowing our way through the Word of God and fighting off the devil in our lives.