STAYING TOGETHER AND
CHOOSING TO BECOME INSEPARABLE FROM God, the Holy Spirit
“…that they might KNOW…..the only true God and Jesus Christ…” (John 17:3)
*
When God made man in his image, the bible says he created them “male and female” God said, “….LET US MAKE man … after our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26 KJV). “…in his own image…..male and female created he them…” (Genesis 1:27 KJV).
When God spoke to the man he’d created, he spoke to “them,” the male and female, even though Eve had not yet been bodily manifested “...God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth...” (Genesis 1:27-28 KJV).
Then God said to THEM: “…of every tree of the garden THOU MAYEST FREELY EAT: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou SHALT NOT EAT of it; for in THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).
After, God blessed THEM and gave THEM instructions, THEN EVE was manifested in her earthen vessel in Chapter 2. “...And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man...” (Genesis 2:18-23 KJV).
Eve wasn’t manifested until God took a rib from Adam and made her into a woman. The woman is known in the biblical community as “…the weaker vessel …” (1 Peter 3:7d).
The idea of being a “weaker vessel” doesn’t support any foolishness that women are weaker emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, or as co-heirs of God’s grace. It says, weaker “vessel,” which means body and most likely refers to differences in physical make-up.
I would like to offer another perspective in order to explore a different view of why Satan went to Eve and not Adam to destroy the “covenant unity” relationship between “the male and female” and God, the Holy Spirit.
There are many speculations about the Adam and Eve story. The Christian community, however, has several traditional views of this Genesis story. I would like to add another view that moves away from tradition and looks at the story THROUGH the creation order: man, then woman, then children....
For example, the actions of the “weaker vessel”- according to the philosophy of the biblical times in Genesis - is said to be connected with the creation order and not gender.
Eve was created from Adam. Adam was created from God. From this perspective, some scholars feel this implies that Eve’s image or likeness of God was more distant than Adam’s as a result of the creation order.
There was a philosophical term prevalent during the Old Testament era, called “emanations,” which means “emerges from.” This term also suggests that created things are subject (servant) to and weaker than the thing from which it was originated or emerged from.
Adam was created by God, thus subject (servant) to God and weaker than God. Eve was created by God also, but from Adam and thus was subject (servant/helper) to Adam and weaker (vessel) than Adam. "…The head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God..." (1 Corinthians 11:3 KJV).
This potential explanation makes Adam closer to God (his image, his likeness) in the Genesis created order and therefore, was not a good “direct” target for Satan’s tactics.
This view offers a rich and refreshing explanation of why Eve was chosen to be tempted and not Adam. Satan KNEW he would not have as much influence on Adam who EMERGED more directly from God’s image.
Again, gender, from this perspective, is not the issue here. What is outstanding is Adam’s “oneness” with God. God literally breathed into his nostrils. God and Adam came into the human vessel together. God, the Holy Spirit and Adam, the soul man was a “covenant unity”. Adam was called a “LIVING” soul. “….God ....breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (SPIRIT); and man became a living soul (SOUL)…” (Genesis 2:7 KJV). “… HE Himself GIVES to all people LIFE (spiritual life) and BREATH (existence) and all things…” (Acts 17:25 NASB). “… In Him we (souls)...exist…” (Acts 17:28 NASB). “… in him we (souls)... have our being… “ (Acts 17:28 KJV).
That shared intimacy with God protected Adam from the direct “wiles” of the devil. “… I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, [Adam could say:]... my [LIVING]...soul (MY EXISTENCE) knows it very well…” (Psalms 139:14 NASB).
In the 21st century, the one Satan deems farthest away from God is a better target. Satan knew Eve’s knowledge or understanding of God’s word or instructions were not exact either. “…My people are destroyed for lack of (personal) knowledge…” (Hosea 4:6 NIV).
“...Study this story of the farmer planting seed. When anyone hears news of the kingdom and doesn’t take it in, it just remains on the surface, and so the Evil One comes along and plucks it right out of that person’s heart. This is the seed the farmer scatters on the road. “The seed cast in the gravel—this is the person who hears and instantly responds with enthusiasm. But there is no soil of character, and so when the emotions wear off and some difficulty arrives, there is nothing to show for it. “The seed cast in the weeds is the person who hears the kingdom news, but weeds of worry and illusions about getting more and wanting everything under the sun strangle what was heard, and nothing comes of it. “The seed cast on good earth is the person who hears and takes in the News, and then produces a harvest beyond his wildest dreams...” (Matthew 13:18-23 MSG).
Eve was a little vague on God instructions too. God said not to “eat of” the tree and he called it the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil.” Eve said God’s instruction were: “…the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, 'Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest ye die...” (Genesis 3:3 KJV).
What God actually said was, “….of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it; for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die...” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).
It is good to “know about” something through others, but God is too important NOT to know HIM for yourself through personal experience. “...I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears! I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise! I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor...” (Job 42:5-6 MSG). “...I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes...” (Job 42:5-6 KJV). “....many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world...” (John 4:41-42 KJV). “...A lot more people entrusted their lives to him when they heard what he had to say. They said to the woman, “We’re no longer taking this on your say-so. We’ve heard it for ourselves and know it for sure. He’s the Savior of the world!...” (John 4:41-42 MSG).
Satan DID NOT care that Eve was newly created or whether she had any experience with his lies, trickery, or wiles. He pounced upon her without concern or compassion. The Word of God is a shield and a guard against Satan who only comes around “… to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10 KJV).
The bible warns: “...Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour...” (1 Peter 5:8 KJV).
Satan will use your distance from God’s Word or lack of knowledge of his word to further broaden that distance. He will also use you to impact others in your “sphere of influence” to distant their relationship with God as well.
GOD SAID: “…of every tree of the garden THOU MAYEST FREELY EAT: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou SHALT NOT EAT of it; for in THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).
The EVIL ONE SAID: “…ye shall not surely die.…” (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV). HE LIED, BECAUSE THEY DIED SPIRITUALLY, IMMEDIATELY!
THE WOMAN WAS CONVINCED BY THE EVIL ONE: “…The woman [became] ... convinced to eat from the tree, anyway... She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it ...” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
SPHERE OF INFLUENCE: “...Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
Adam and Eve didn’t just fall into sin, but they fell away from the “COVENANT UNITY” relationship with God, the HOLY SPIRIT. At that moment, “…[their] ...INIQUITIES … separated … [them from] ... God (who is the HOLY SPIRIT of LOVE)…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).
I imagine, also, at that moment, that “fall” away from God was heard around the world and in all of heaven. “…THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof “THOU SHALT SURELY DIE”…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV).
“.... At that moment their eyes were opened (to an existence WITHOUT God)…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “…It’s YOUR SINS that … [will] ...cut you off from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).
The “fall” away from God, the Holy Spirit of Love separated humanity from the “covenant unity” relationship. “…[their] ...INIQUITIES … separated … [them from] ... God (who is the HOLY SPIRIT of LOVE)…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).
This separation from God is experienced by every human being born into the world to this present day. “….I was born a sinner (I was born without the indwelling Holy Spirit)….” (Psalms 51:5 NLT). “…All have sinned (all are born with a sin nature only, thus is a sinner) and fallen short of the glory of God (are born without the indwelling holy spirit)…” (Romans 3:23).
Every human being born, into the world, without the Holy Spirit, is a DEAD soul (existence). “…the body without (apart from) the spirit is dead…” (James 2:26 KJV).
The greatest tragedy of the whole Genesis account is not simply “original sin” as is usually the focus. “...So she took some of the fruit and ate it ...” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). “...Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
The TRUE TRAGEDY is the cutting asunder of the greatest “covenant unity” relationship between God and humanity ever experienced until Jesus Christ. “…[their] ...INIQUITIES … separated … [them from] ... God (who is the HOLY SPIRIT of LOVE)…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV).The bible says, “…Be ye not unequally yoked together...” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV). God, the Holy Spirit follows his own Word.
“... Everyone who practices sin (including Adam and Eve) also practices lawlessness ... the one who practices sin is of (with) the devil ... anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of (with) GOD...” (1 John 3:7-10 NASB). “... the word of God (said to adam and eve, if you eat from the tree “....thou shalt surely dead...” and when they did, the word begin)...piercing ....to the dividing asunder of [their] soul and [god’s holy] spirit....” (Hebrews 4:12 NASB). They DIED spiritually.
God is HOLY. “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). God is the HOLY SPIRIT and LOVE.
HOLINESS is God’s standard for his DIVINE character and he WILL NEVER compromise his standards, EVER“…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).
Practicing sin means you willingly chose to rehearse it over and over again, on purpose and are not trying to live righteous in that area. “... Everyone who practices sin ...” (1 John 3:7-10 NASB).
A mistake or the struggle to overcome sin means you errored, but willingly chose to continue to make an effort to live righteous. “...a just man (made right through Jesus) falleth seven times, and riseth up again...” (Proverbs 24:16 KJV). “...Since Jesus went through everything you’re going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you’ll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want...” (1 Peter 4:1 MSG). “...Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he (she) that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin...” (1 Peter 4:1 KJV).
“... Everyone who practices sin [transgresses god’s holy commandments] (Adam and Eve and anyone else)...” (1 John 3:7-10 NASB). “…It’s YOUR SINS that … [will] ...cut you off (cut you asunder) from God…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).
Humanity has not been able, on their own, to get BACK together with God since Genesis. There was a BARRIER, made by sin, and mankind’s practice of sin, separated them from the God who LOVES them. “... Everyone who practices sin [transgresses god’s holy commandments] ...” (1 John 3:7-10 NASB).
This separation is a CHASM between the natural realm and the supernatural realm. It is an impenetrable chasm that prevents sinful mankind and the HOLY God from having a “covenant union” “... And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm (barrier) has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us…” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).
This chasm separates mankind from God, cuts them off from him, permanently, and because they are in two different realms, he can’t even accept or support them, or hear or answer them, or look upon them with any kind of favor. “…[God, the Holy Spirit] can not look on wickedness with favor…” (Habakkuk 1:13 NASB). “…[God, the Holy Spirit’s]... eyes are too pure to approve (accept or support) evil…” (Habakkuk 1:13 NASB). “…Because of YOUR SINS, [God, the Holy Spirit has] … turned away and can… not listen anymore [because he is in the spiritual realm and YOU are not]…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).
God DOES NOT compromise his HOLINESS by giving the DEVIL any opportunity! “...Neither give place (opportunity) to the devil...” (Ephesians 4:27 KJV).
HOLINESS simply can NOT bond, MIX, UNITE, or be yoked together with SIN on ANY level (big or small). SIN creates a REAL chasm. “…Be ye NOT unequally yoked together with unbelievers for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? Or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15 KJV). “... And besides all this, between us and you [there] a great chasm (barrier) …” (Luke 16:22-25 NASB).
Without Jesus, there “WILL” ALWAYS remain an impenetrable BARRIER or CHASM between mankind (SIN/oil) and God (HOLY/water). “... You have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s GRACE…” (Galatians 2:21 NLT). “…[God, the Holy Spirit] can not look on wickedness with favor…” (Habakkuk 1:13 NASB). “…[God, the Holy Spirit’s]... eyes are too pure to approve evil…” (Habakkuk 1:13 NASB). “... APART FROM [Christ]... you can do nothing (you cannot UNITE with the HOLY God) …” (John 15:1-11 NASB).
“… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). “…GOD IS SPIRIT…” (John 4:24 KJV). “…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).
However, The HOLY SPIRIT’s standard of LOVE is HOLY and therefore REDEEMABLE for the sinner. God made a PLAN of SALVATION to REUNITE himself with mankind. “… [He sent the] …one … who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 2:5 NLT). “… apart from [Jesus[, you can do nothing (you cannot REUNITE with God, the Holy Spirit)…” (John 15:5 NIV). “… [You] … can...through Christ which strengtheneth (empowers) … [you to REUNITE with God, the Holy Spirit]…” (Philippians 4:13 KJV).
“…It is God who works in [people to REUNITE them to himself]… to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). Jesus saith…I am the way, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6 KJV).
“…Jesus Christ maketh thee whole (REUNITES YOU with God, the Holy Spirit. AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV).
“….Jesus Christ (the WORD of GOD) maketh thee WHOLE (AGAIN)…” (Acts 9:34 KJV). “... and man[kind, through Jesus Christ]... became ...living soul[s], [again] …” (Genesis 2:7 KJV).
Mankind’s soul is LOST and is being dominated, imprisoned by, and in bondage to the sinful nature. “…The Son of man (God’s PLAN of SALVATION) came to seek and to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST…” (Luke 19:10 KJV).
Lost souls are“…separated from the [spiritual]... LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…[Lost souls are] ... DEAD in trespasses and sin (trapped within the sinful nature)…” (Ephesians 2:1 KJV).
Spiritually DEAD souls are slaves to the sinful nature. “…The sin of my SOUL…” (Micah 6:7 KJV). “...I want to do what is good, but I don’t …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
The bible refers to the soul as a person, a who, or a self. “...Ye shall keep the sabbath therefore ... for WHOsoever doeth any work therein, THAT SOUL shall be cut off from among his people...” (Exodus 31:14 KJV). “...and souls of men...” (Revelation 18:13 KJV). “.. and man(woman) became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).
Jesus came to earth to SAVE SOULS, the lost SOUL. “…The Son of man came to seek and to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST…” (Luke 19:10 KJV). “...Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (God’s living Word), and thou shalt be saved…” (ACTS 16:31 KJV). “...receive the word ...which is able to save your souls...” (James 1:21 KJV). “...those (people) who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls...” (Acts 2:41 KJV).
God encourages, the righteous to WIN SOULS too. “...he (she) that winneth SOULS is wise...” (Proverbs 11:30 KJV). “...he (she) who turns a sinner (leads that person to Jesus) from the error of his (her) way will save his(her) soul from death...” (James 5:20 KJV).
Let’s talk about the SOUL for a minute. The bible is repeatedly referring to these souls as people or persons. When God finished the creation of Adam, he called him “a living soul.” After God breathed into his nostrils Adam BECAME “a living soul.”
When a SOUL is saved, that soul RETURNS or REUNITES to the SHEPHERD of that SOUL! “...ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls...” (1 Peter 2:25 KJV). “...Behold, all souls are Mine (God, the Holy Spirit’s)...” (Ezekiel 18:4 KJV). “…the world is mine, and the fulness thereof…(Psalm 50:12 KJV). “…all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine…” (1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV).
The SOUL then is the SELF of the male and female, which God, the Holy Spirit CREATED. The SELF or the SOUL, together with God, the Holy Spirit, BECOMES spiritual ALIVE. “.. and man(woman) became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).
The spiritually DEAD soul, thus, is heavily affected by carnality. “….When you (the soul) follow the desires (influences) of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. …” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).
Adam and Eve’s fall may have been similar to that of Satan’s which Jesus speaks of in Luke 10:18, “...I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven...” Isaiah 14:12 says: “...How art thou fallen from heaven… how art thou cut down to the ground (the body or flesh was made from the dust of the ground and without the indwelling Holy Spirit that’s ALL mankind is a body made from the dust)….”
Adam and Eve probably experienced the same immediate type of fall once their eyes were opened “…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT).
“.... At that moment their eyes were opened (opened to a life SEPARATE from God, the Holy Spirit cut down to MERELY ground)…” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT). The moment, they transgressed the holy law, “…[their trangression] ... separated … [them from] ... God (the breath of life, the Holy Spirit, GOODNESS)…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s [THEIR] SINS that ...cut [them] off (cut them asunder) from God (the Holy Spirit of LOVE…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).
Luke 10:18, “...I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven...” Isaiah 14:12 says: “...How art thou fallen from heaven… how art thou cut down to the ground….”
Eve demonstrates how people are tempted when they are drawn away by what they want, at the moment, and NOT the MORE God ALWAYS has prepared for them. “...every man (woman) is tempted, when he (she) is drawn away of his (her) own lust, and enticed...” (James 1:14 KJV).
“…The woman [became] ... convinced [to eat from the tree, anyway]... She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it...” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
“....this sort (serpent-like people) are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women (men) ... away with divers lusts...” (2 Timothy 3:6 KJV).
“….She [CHOSE to take] ... some of the fruit and [eat] ... IT. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and HE ATE IT, too …” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
“….God saw everything he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). “...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). This means there is NONE “good” without God, the Holy Spirit.
Adam and Eve’s CHOICES destroyed MUCH GOOD (in fact, all the GOOD they had, which was God). “…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT). “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). “…through one man (Adam and Eve were ONE) SIN entered into the world, and DEATH THROUGH SIN, and so death passed to “all” men—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). NOW “…All have sinned and fallen SHORT of the GLORY of God…” (Romans 3:23).
Eve was DRAWN AWAY from God’s Word and CONVINCED of a LIE. “...every man (woman) is tempted, when he (she) is drawn away of his (her) own lust, and enticed...” (James 1:14 KJV).
“…The woman [became] ... convinced [to eat from the tree, anyway]...” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
The heart is deceitful ABOVE all things. The heart (mind) “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV). “...God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART (mind)…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). God zooms in on the “…hidden man (woman) of the heart (mind)…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV).
God knows it is “…from within, out of the heart (mind) of man (woman), proceed evil thoughts… [lusts that draws you away from God)…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).
It was in the secret tabernacle of Eve’s HEART, first and foremost, that she willingly chose Satan’s LIES over God’s HOLY instructions. GOD SAID: “…THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST thereof THOU SHALT SURELY DIE…” (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV). The EVIL ONE SAID: “…ye shall not surely die.…” (Genesis 3:4-5 KJV). “…The woman [became] ... convinced ( within her heart by the serpent) to eat from the tree, anyway... ...” (Genesis 3:1-7 NLT).
All the DEVIL ever NEEDS is an OPPORTUNITY to RUIN the “covenant unity” between God and HIS people IN “ANY” area. “...Neither give place (opportunity) to the devil...” (Ephesians 4:27 KJV).
Eve was CONVINCED of the DEVIL’s LIES. They SEEMED right, at the moment, but in the END she DIED spiritually. She became SEPARATED from God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE. “….The way of a fool is right in his (her) own eyes…” (Proverbs 12:15 KJV). “…There is a way which seemeth right unto a man (woman), but the end thereof are the ways of death...” (Proverbs 14:20 KJV).
. “Those who trust in themselves are fools, but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe…” (Proverbs 28:26 NIV). “….human desire (personal lusts that draws you away from God) is NEVER SATISFIED…” (Proverbs 27:20 NLT). “… [God, the Holy Spirit] … will supply all [your need no matter what it is]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “… [God, the Holy Spirit, ALONE will]… satisfy …and refresh everyone …” (Jeremiah 31:25 NASB). “…Apart from [the indwelling Holy Spirit]… [mankind cannot]... do nothing (can’t find satisfaction)…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Eve HAD everything that PERTAINED to life and godliness. God was the ALL the WISDOM she needed. “…God shall supply ALL YOUR NEED according to his riches in glory …” (Philippians 4:19 KJV). “…God will generously PROVIDE all you need…” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NLT). “…His DIVINE POWER hath given unto [his people] ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness…” (2 Peter 1:3 KJV). “...He careth for [them]...” (1 Peter 5:7 KJV).
Eve traded, through disobedience, the “covenant unity” relationship with God, the Holy Spirit of Love to become in bondage to Satan. “…Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto (spiritual) death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16 KJV).
“…The [flesh]...nature ... never did obey God’s laws, and it never will…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). NOW, “...the whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).
Eve could no longer CHOOSE to be RIGHTEOUS or GOOD. She was in BONDAGE to the SERPENT. He had DOMINION over everything God had FREELY given her, including her soul. “...I am all too human, a slave to sin (through the sinful nature) ...I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (through the sinful nature) that [has its influence] … within me (within my heart, mind, etc.) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “…Who will free me from this life that is dominated by SIN? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“…The ... [flesh]... nature ...never did obey God’s laws, and it never will.…” (Romans 8:1-14 NLT). “…Who will free me from this [imprisoned]...life [where my soul]...is dominated by SIN [through the sinful nature]...? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
There is NO goodness in the SINFUL nature. There is NO goodness within mankind without the indwelling Holy Spirit. “...I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin (activated through my sinful nature) …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).
“….God saw everything he had made……and, [said] … it was VERY GOOD…” (Genesis 1:31 KJV). Adam and Eve destroyed MUCH GOOD.
“…God asked the woman, “What have you done?” (Genesis 3:7-13 NLT). “… ONE sinner destroy[ed]… MUCH GOOD…” (Ecclesiastes 9:18 NASB). “...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV).
“…through one [hu]man SIN (transgression against God’s holy instructions) entered into the world, and [spiritual] DEATH THROUGH SIN (spiritual death came along with sin), and so [spiritual] death passed to “all” men(women)—“(Romans 5:12 KJV). NOW “…All have sinned (all are born spiritually dead) and fallen SHORT of the GLORY of God (all are born without the Holy Spirit)…” (Romans 3:23).
“...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “… [ALL of mankind have become]…..unclean and [their so-called] righteousnesses (efforts to BE good is) as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).
Man’s concept of GOOD is FLAWED and UNHOLY most of the time. They are conditioned to rationalize GOODNESS as merely a GESTURE whether than an EXPRESSION of the HEART. “...God SEES NOT as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…”(1 Samuel 16:7 NASB).
“…No one need[s]… to tell him (God) about human nature...[God knows what is]...in each person’s heart…” (John 2:24-25 NLT). “…[God, the Holy Spirit].... knowest the hearts of all men…” (Acts 1:24 KJV). “… He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked…” (Psalm 11:4-5 NLT).
The heart (which can make you believe DOING good is the same as BEING good, it) “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV). "… out of the abundance of the heart ...The good man (woman) (empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit) ...brings forth good things..." (Matthew 12:34-35). “...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV).
You can’t trust in or depend upon the human heart devoid of god, the holy spirit. The heart (which can make you believe DOING good is the same as BEING good, it) “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).
The bible WARNS: “...[about]... hypocrites! ...which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… ” (Matthew 23:27 KJV).
There are many, who claim to be God’s people whose generosity is a matchless sacrifice, but without God, it is pointless. “...if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing...” (1 Corinthians 13:1-5 NASB).“…Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied ...cast out devils... and DONE many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity…” (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV).
“... APART FROM [God, the Holy Spirit of LOVE]... you can do nothing …” (John 15:1-11 NASB).“…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…every one that loveth …. KNOWETH God. He that loveth NOT KNOWETH NOT God; for God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV).
GOD IS LOOKING “DIRECTLY” AT the HEART of HIS people!! “...God sees not as man (woman) sees, for man (woman) looks at the outward appearance (the DOING), but the LORD looks at the heart (the BEING)…” (1 Samuel 16:7 NASB).
God zooms in on the “…hidden man (woman) of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). God knows it is “…from within, out of the heart of man (woman), proceed evil thoughts… wickedness…All these evil things come from within, and defile a person.” (Mark 7:21-23 KJV).
The heart, without God, the Holy Spirit, and ALL that it contains “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it [except God?]…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).
ONLY “...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV).
Thus, there is NONE truly GOOD without being in “covenant unity” with God’s indwelling Holy Spirit.
“Good” people who trust in their “own” goodness and not God’s are often the ones whom others believe are going to bust hell wide open. Without God, all of “your” goodness is as “filthy rags” in God’s sight “… [ALL of mankind have become]…..unclean and [their so-called] righteousnesses (efforts to BE good, without God, is) as filthy rags….” (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).
There is no goodness apart from God. Goodness is God’s established HOLY standard and not man’s. “...there is none good but one, that is, God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV).
God is the ONLY one who can give you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you in order for you to bear the fruit of goodness at all “…Create in me a clean heart, O God…” (Psalms 51:10 KJV). “…Renew a right spirit…” (Psalms 51:10 KJV).
“…the Holy Spirit gives birth to (right spirit or a) SPIRITUAL LIFE [of goodness]…” (John 3:6 NLT). “…It is …God [the indwelling Holy Spirit] ... who does the work [of goodness] IN and THROUGH [his people]… (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…Ye shall know [those with the indwelling Holy Spirit]… by their fruits [like GOODness]…” (Matthew 7:16 KJV). “…The [indwelling]...HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power [to empower goodness] THROUGH [his people] … (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “...the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [his people’s]... lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…” (Galatians 5 NLT).
Only God’s Spirit produces the fruit of goodness “...the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in [his people’s]... goodness…” (Galatians 5 NLT). “…God (the Holy Spirit) anointed (empowered) Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit (his indwelling presence) and POWER, and …he went around ...[producing spiritual fruit by]... doing good... (HOW?)...because …God was with him…” (Acts 10:38 NIV).
The GOODNESS of God’s people are SHAPED and EMPOWERED by HIS indwelling spiritual fruit of goodness. God called his people to BECOME, holy human BEINGS; not human DOINGS. “...BE (become) ...holy; for I am holy...” (1 Peter 1:16). “...Be(come) … imitators of [Jesus]…” (Hebrews 12:14; Ephesians 5:1 ASV). “… growing in every way more and more like Christ…” (Ephesians 4:14-16 NLT). “…In this world we are [to become] like Jesus…” (1 John 4:17 NIV). “...The lord (Jesus) is GOOD...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “….Apart from Me (Jesus), you can do nothing (you can’t be or become GOOD)…” (John 15:5 NIV).
Real goodness, therefore, come from the “covenant unity” relationship with God, the indwelling Holy Spirit. The indwelling Holy Spirit produces and displays the spiritual fruit of goodness “in” and “through” his people. “...But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law...” (Galatians 5:22-23).
“…It is God who works in [his people]…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep … work[s] in [his people] what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…The God of peace … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip[s his people] with everything good for doing his will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “… [God] grant[s]… [his people]… to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man (woman)…” (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “...God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of [his people]. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power [to produce the fruit of goodness] THROUGH each of [his people] …” (1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT).
Eve’s “eating of the apple” may seem small compared to the devastating results. A little bit of sin is still SOME sin and SOME sin, no matter how small, is a deviation from God’s standard of HOLINESS.
God is HOLY. “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV). HOLINESS is God’s standard for his DIVINE character and he WILL NEVER compromise his standards, EVER“…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “… “I AM WHO I AM …” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).
Satan will use anything, big or small, to move a person further and further away from God. In our relationships with others one incident, one wrong word, or one really bad misunderstanding can cause the relationship to end in a devastating way. “…Lying lips are abomination to the Lord…” (Proverbs 12:22 KJV). “…if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out…” (Numbers 32:23 NLT).
“…You have also heard … ‘You must not break your vows; you must carry out the vows you make to the Lord…” (Matthew 5:33 NLT). “… to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin…” (James 4:17 KJV).
“..though he (God) slay me (or it feels like he’s killing me), yet will I trust in him (and depend upon him)…” (Job 13:15 KJV). “….All the days of my appointed TIME will I WAIT, till my CHANGE come…” (Job 14:14 KJV). “…The faithful followers of the Lord … keep their promises (to abide with HIM by trusting and depending upon HIM) even when it hurts…” (Psalm 15:4 NLT).
Eve was dependent upon God, the Holy Spirit and his LOVING care; it was all she’d ever known.
Satan deceived Eve by convincing her there was MORE she could gain and choose from, outside of God’s holy LOVE, CARE, and PROTECTION. “…[Satan is]...like wolves ravening the prey …to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain…” (Ezekiel 22:27 KJV).
Satan’s “dishonest gain” was that he knew it would DESTROY the “covenant unity” relationship with God, Eve, and her husband. .“…The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…” (John 10:10 KJV). “…[Satan serves his] …OWN belly (purpose)…” (Romans 16:18 KJV).
Satan’s intentions were to “…to destroy…” the relationship with God and to remove them from the safeguard of God’s care as HE had been removed. “…They (evil people like Satan) lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil…” (Psalms 36:4 NLT).
God’s intentions were to protect Adam and Eve from “….the knowledge of good and evil…” through his loving, divine, PROTECTIVE instructions to them.
God, the Holy Spirit is truth and Satan, the serpent, is a LIAR. Satan wanted to be LIKE God, but he couldn’t, he was ALWAYS a LIAR, from the very beginning. “...there is “NONE” good but...God...” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…he (satan, the evil one) is a liar and the father of lies…” (John 8:44 NASB). “…He was a murderer from the beginning …” (John 8:44 NASB).
Satan was “VERY” DISHONEST. “...the father of lies…” (John 8:44 NASB). There is NOT a “little” dishonesty; dishonest “IS” dishonest. “…Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much…” (Luke 16:10 KJV).
As long as God’s people trust in and depend upon JESUS, the LIVING Word, they will ABIDE in him and HE will ABIDE within them. It is important that THEY CHOOSE to STAY TOGETHER and become inseparable from God, the Holy Spirit in order to SUSTAIN the “covenant unity.”
No comments:
Post a Comment