June, 2022 | THE BIBLE VIEW

The BIBLE VIEW #864 — Carnality

In This Issue:
Baby Christians
Stay!
Blinded by Carnality
What the Bible Says about Carnality

Volume: 864 June 27, 2022
Theme: Carnality

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Baby Christians
Bill Brinkworth

In I Corinthians 3, Paul discusses spiritually weak people. He identifies this type of Christians at the church in Corinth (I Corinthians 1:2) as baby Christians (I Corinthians 3:1).

Because they had not spiritually matured, the preacher had to watch what he said and taught them. He could only tell them less demanding things about God. If he revealed the “harder” things of God, they would react improperly to the spiritual “meat.” They were saved because Paul addressed them as “brethren” (I Cor. 3:1), but they were very carnal (I Cor. 3:3).

Noah Webster defined “carnal” as “pertaining to the flesh.” The “baby” Christians’ deep involvement in things of the world clouded any dealings the Spirit of God tried to have with them. They did what felt good and interested them, but were not spiritually pliable.

Today, Christianity is also weakened by those trying to straddle both worlds. They never grow in the things of the Lord. They try to be like everyone else, have all the pleasures this life can offer them, and minimally tip their hat to God. Obedience to God is not a priority in their thinking.

Any mention of the “harder” things of God, and many today also get uncomfortable or mad. They can agree on being saved and may even be baptized. Heads will nod in agreement with Christian practices that do not require sacrifice or changes.

However, mention separation from sinful practices or from influences that could get one too close to sin, and suddenly, “the preacher is fanatical.” Suggest obeying the commandments recorded in the Bible, and their justification will be, “I don’t think God meant it for today’s people. That was for people a long time ago.” Show them where the Bible says that one should give God part of their income (Malachi 3:8-9), and their anger turns their face red and they stammer, “God knows I can’t afford it, so he doesn’t expect me to give.” Hint that they should be faithful in attending church, and you will hear more justification and excuses for their lack of commitment to the assembly of local believers.

We still have “baby” Christians today. They never “grow up” spiritually. They never take the steps of faith necessary to help them grow closer and depend more on their loving Father. Amazingly, many even model themselves after the early, carnal church of Corinth and ignore Paul’s rebuke of that church’s immature Christian practices.

Carnality will always be a temptation for all Christians. Encouragingly, some still step out by faith and follow wherever the Holy Spirit leads them. They are the ones that are saved and commit, “Okay, Lord, show me what you want me to do next in your Word, and I will do it.” They happily do what they are shown to do and allow God to use them and work in their lives. They are the ones that have no problem digesting the “meat” that God allows them to hear. Those Christians are the ones God is looking for and uses the most.

“If Christians do not read and obey the Bible, they will never grow spiritually!”

Stay!
Bill Brinkworth

Paul, like so many Christians today, faced some opposition from other Christians. Some in the churches where he spoke questioned his apostleship, and others accused him of walking in the flesh (II Corinthians 10:2).

No matter the accusation, Paul chose not to fight back. He decided not to fight those who were carnal with his fleshly retorts. He let his works for the Lord speak for themselves and let the Lord do the rest of the battling (II Cor. 10:4-8).

Everyone that attends a church has someone falsely accusing him of something or else has his feelings hurt at least once. No church is perfect. It is a God-commanded assembly of believers, and it may have mostly Christians in attendance, but none of them are without sin.

Some members of the church family are more carnal than others. They see things from a fleshly perspective and not how God sees them (II Cor.10:5). To make matters worse, they often voice their opinions about other members. When this is done, someone usually gets hurt.

Too many, unfortunately, get wind of what was said about them and leave the church. My first thought is usually, “Who would be behind such a move of leaving a ministry for the wrong reasons — God or Satan?” It certainly would not be of God to disobey his commandment (Hebrews 10:24-25) to assemble with believers. Yet, people leave churches all the time for the wrong reasons.

In the past, my wife and I have had things said about us by other church family members. The false accusations hurt us deeply, but we remembered we were not in attendance for those people but for God. He wanted us to stay, and we did.

It was a hard time, and much praying was done on our part. However, we never missed a service and kept at the work the Lord had for us. Over time, we looked around and noticed that we had our nose to the grindstone doing what God had laid on our hearts, but our accusers were no longer in attendance. God takes care of his own, but that does not mean that there will not be difficulties.

Paul stayed and did what God told him to do, and God used him greatly. His accusers’ names are not mentioned in the Bible, but Paul is still remembered. Purpose in your heart who you will serve (Joshua 24:15), and let the Lord handle the light work. Be a “Paul.”

“Hopefully, you didn’t go to church for ‘feelings,’ so don’t leave if they get hurt. You should go to church to be obedient to the Lord!”

Blinded by Carnality
Bill Brinkworth

Many of Paul’s letters rebuked the Corinthian church (I Corinthian 11:17, 22). Because many in that church never truly rid themselves of the snares of their past worldly lives, it hampered them often from growing in the things of the Lord. Scriptural instructions intended to help them grow spiritually and get closer to their God and Christian brethren often became a source of contention amongst themselves and caused division instead (I Cor. 11:18-19). One such instance was the way they conducted the Lord’s Supper.

The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was to help them remember (I Cor. 11:25-26) what Jesus had done for them. It was to be a solemn remembrance of God’s Son’s sacrifice for them when His body was “broken” (nailed to the cross) and His blood spilled for their sins.

Instead, they took that time and made it into a feast. Some went hungry. Some got drunk (I Cor. 11:21). Others were embarrassed for not having what others had (I Cor. 11:22). The meaning of the Lord’s Supper was forgotten.

Because they lost the supper’s meaning and purpose (I Cor. 11:29), Paul warned that it would bring them harm rather than good. Instead of blessing and unity, their drinking and eating brought them damnation and division. So wicked did the event become that some got sick and others even died (I Cor. 11:30) because they refused to discern the Lord’s body. They were to judge and remember their sins. They did not, and God judged some of them for their added sin.

Believers are to continue this time of remembering the broken body and spilt blood of our Saviour even today (I Cor. 11:26). It is not a “party-time” but a judge-our-own-sins time. It is a time that we do not look around at others to see their faults, but remember our own. The intent of this time is for us to remember. Remember what Jesus did for us and keep our spiritual “slates” clean between Him and us.

“Humility is produced by remembering the pit we have come from.”

What the Bible Says about Carnality

“For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:5-7 Many worldly Christians think themselves spiritual, but God says they are His enemies.
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [worldly desires of the flesh].” Matthew 6:24
“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:14 A person may be saved on the inside, but he still has the natural side of him He was born with. He will battle the desire to do what his “natural man” wants to do until the day he dies.eaven, bu Those living for the flesh’s wants will not understand the things of God.
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses [Those that serve the flesh are committing spiritual adultery. They are going after the ‘gods’ of this world and are not faithful to the God in Heaven], know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4

“Christian, if you feed the ‘carnal’ part of you more than the spiritual part, the worldly, carnal side will grow stronger. You will battle spiritual weakness and immaturity until you change your feeding habits!”

The BIBLE VIEW #863 — God’s Promises

In This Issue:
You Can Trust Him
Promises about Salvation
Promises about Forgiveness
Promises of Courage
Promises about Fear
Promises of Help in Time of Trouble
Promises for The Lonely
Promises and Commandments for Marriage

Volume: 863 June 20, 2022
Theme: God’s Promises

You Can Trust Him
Bill Brinkworth

“Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability [unchangeable] of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” Hebrews 6:17

Unlike sinful man, God cannot lie. What He has preserved in His Word, the Bible, was true when it was penned, and it can be relied upon today with no reservations.

Truth about most matters is difficult to find. News medias too often air only part of the facts they want listeners or readers to believe. Many politicians state only what they want the public to know. Others often make statements without knowing or communicating the other side of the argument or story. Opinions are often touted as facts when they are not!

Absolute truth is hard to find. However, our Creator knows all sides of situations, loves us, and wants us to have the truth. Authenticity, realism, exactness, and accuracy of situations and experiences are so important to Him that He has preserved truths for all to know. What he has saved for us between the pages of our Bible can be relied upon. If God said it, we can believe it. God will not lie!

“If God said it, you must believe it!”

Promises about Salvation
“That whosoever believeth in him [Jesus] should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:15-16

“3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:3-7

“For he hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” II Corinthians 5:21

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“We are saved by someone doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.”
— Lester

Promises about Forgiveness
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. 36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. 37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:” Luke 6:35-37 Also: Matthew 5:44.

“The habit of judging and condemning others is usually a great deal more serious blemish than are the things we so glibly point out as flaws or faults.” — Author Unknown

Promises of Courage
“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 Also: Psalm 31:24.

“I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:12-13

“Have courage for the great sorrows of life, and patience for the smaller ones; and when you have laboriously accomplished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake. — Victor Hugo

Promises about Fear
“For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.” Psalm 37:28

“And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” Mark 4:40

“For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.” Isaiah 41:13

“But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverb 1:33

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7

“For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.” I Peter 3:12

Promises of Help in Time of Trouble
“But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble.” Psalm 37:39

“The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7

“Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.” Psalm 32:7

“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.” Psalm 37:24

“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Psalm 73:26 Also: Psalm 73:26.

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.” Psalm 18:2-3 Also: Psalm 18:2-3, 28:7.

“Troubles are often the tools by which God fashions us for better things.”
— Beecher

Promises for The Lonely
“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” John 14:18

“Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;” Isaiah 58:9

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” II Corinthians 6:17-18

“But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.” Psalm 40:17

Promises and Commandments for Marriage
“Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:9

“Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.” I Corinthians 7:3

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;” Ephesians 5:25

“For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.” Ephesians 5:31

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” Colossians 3:18

The BIBLE VIEW #862 — Discouragement

In This Issue:
Un-Discouraged
Limit the Griping. Increase the Praising!
“Hold the Fort, for I Am Coming!”

Volume: 862 June 13, 2022
Theme: Discouragement

Un-Discouraged
Bill Brinkworth

“And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.” Luke 12:22

We all have been vexed by what we have perceived as problems. Worrying over life’s troubles consumes too much time for many. Sometimes the anxieties are legitimate; sometimes, they are only imagined and never come to fruition.

God has much to say about the sin of worrying in His Word. Matthew 6:34, along with Luke 12:22, compels us not to worry about our needs and to take life’s obstacles on a day-by-day basis.

We have a lot on our plate for today; do not worry about what may or may not happen tomorrow. Besides, what situation has worrying ever improved?
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:34

Looking at all the possible challenges that could happen on another day is very frustrating. I remember the same feeling when told to weed a 40-foot garden when I was younger.

My mother gave me the chore of weeding a backyard flower patch. I worked a short time and then looked to the end, where I was to finish. It seemed so far away and impossible.

I worked a little more and then looked to the far end. I felt I would never get finished and that it was almost a hopeless task that would never be completed.

Then I came up with a different strategy. Instead of looking at the whole task, I looked no further than two feet in front of me.

Looking up, I saw my short goal and weeded hard to reach it. When I achieved that mark, I looked up two feet further and made that my next mission.

Never did I look to the end again. I kept making short commitments.

I do remember at one point, which did not seem that long after starting, where I did permit myself to look back at where I had started.

The beginning point was far, far behind me. I did accomplish something. I was beginning to realize that the task was obtainable.

Again, I returned to my two-foot tasks. Before long, my next look at the two-foot objective made me realize it was the end.

Small bites at the task and not fretting over the overall picture made the job seem faster to complete and less agonizing. I learned from that chore to set shorter goals and keep plodding at them until the main goal was reached.

Life has many challenges that we will face. God does not give us more than we can handle. Be concerned with what God gives us to do today. When tomorrow comes, he will also give us the grace to meet the challenges we face on that day.

“Anxiety springs from the desire that things should happen as we wish rather than as God wills.” — Author Unknown

Limit the Griping. Increase the Praising!
Bill Brinkworth

One reason people should daily read their Bible is to understand how to handle even the “little” problems. In II Corinthians 2, we read that Paul learned a principle from experiences and shared it with his Corinthian friends. He did not want them to learn the same lesson he did the hard way. What he realized can be known by today’s Christians when the situation is also faced.
“But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you in heaviness. 2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me?…” II Corinthians 2:1-4

There is time to share one’s problems with friends and acquaintances, but it is not all the time! Paul learned that if he griped, complained, and shared all his sorrows all the time, there would be consequences. When it came time for his friends to encourage him, none would be left to help him (II Corinthians 2:1-4). They would all be too sorrowful and discouraged to console him.

Everyone knows a constant griper. They complain about their job, parents, finances, politics, and much more.

After the grumbler shares their load of concerns and worries, their friends will often be depressed and discouraged. The source of the complainer’s “pick-me-ups” will be sadder than the complainer. There will be no one to encourage the person when he needs it.

After a while, many listeners soon realize that listening to the other person’s moaning and groaning gets them so depressed that they avoid being around that person. The complainer’s problems increase when his circle of confidants is ducking for cover when he comes around.

Constant complaining grows tiresome to some. It does more damage if the griper is a Christian.

When a Christian is heard grumbling, it also sends a message to the listener. It leaves an impression to the complainee that God cannot handle the person’s problems. The person appears defeated because God seemingly could not help them in their situation. That is not the message that anyone should intentionally want anyone to learn. Does that mean one should “hold it in” all the time? No, it is a consideration that should be weighed when negative comments are spoken.

If more gave their difficulties and trials to God, there would be less need to be running to people to share one’s troubles. God desires to be our first source of defense, not our last. Go to Him instead of spreading ideas that God is limited in areas of help. One can then share the goodness of God by telling others how the Lord delivered and helped them. God can help anyone with anything!

“Pelopidas, when informed that the number of the enemy was double that of his army, replied, “So much the better. We shall conquer so many the more.” His confidence and positive outlook were more encouraging than a thousand spears.” — Author Unknown

“Hold the Fort, for I Am Coming!”
D. L. Moody

I am told that when General Sherman went through Atlanta towards the sea, he left in the fort in the Kennesaw Mountains a handful of men to guard some rations that he brought there.

General Hood got into the outer rear and attacked the fort, driving the men in from the exterior works into the inner works. For a long time, the battle raged fearfully.

Half of the men were killed or wounded. The general, who was in command, was wounded seven different times. When they were about ready to run up the white flag and surrender the fort, Sherman got within fifteen miles. Through the signal corps on the mountain, he sent the message, “Hold the fort. I am coming. W. T. Sherman.” That message fired up the soldiers’ hearts, and they held the fort until reinforcements came. The stronghold did not go into the hands of their enemies.

Mr. Bliss wrote a hymn entitled, “Hold the Fort for I am coming.” We need to hold our “fort” and not give up serving the Lord. Our Saviour is in command, and He is coming.

Ho! My comrades, see the signal
Waving in the sky!
Reinforcements now appearing.
Victory is nigh!

Refrain:“
Hold the fort, for I am coming,”
Jesus signals still,
Wave the answer back to heaven,“
By Thy grace we will.”

See the mighty hosts advancing,
Satan leading on;
Mighty men around us falling.
Courage almost gone.
Refrain.

See the glorious banner waving.
Hear the bugle blow.
In our Leader’s name we’ll triumph
Over every foe.
Refrain.

Fierce and long the battle rages,
But our Help is near;
Onward comes our Great Commander,
Cheer, my comrades, cheer!
Refrain.

The BIBLE VIEW #861 — Life-changing Sin

In This Issue:
Man and The First Sin
The Wages of Sin Loomed Overhead

Volume: 861 June 6, 2022
Theme: The First Sin

Man and the First Sin
Bill Brinkworth

Sin’s first commission is the one event that changed the history of man. Genesis 2-3 details the first sin and how it affected the first people on Earth and all following generations.

Here is the biblical account of the first sin:
God made man from the dust of the ground. We find that when God made man, His creation was placed in a garden, which was probably created on the third day. The beautiful place of plenty was called the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:8). Eden was most likely located east of the Mediterranean Sea and West of the Persian Gulf. Although the exact spot is unknown today, it was near the Euphrates River, joined by three ancient rivers.

We also find one crucial detail about God’s prize creation, man. We learn of a feature of man that no other creature that God created had. The first man was Adam, and he was made with a living soul (Gen. 2:7).
“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.” Gen. 2:7

His Creator immediately gave Adam responsibilities. Some of the man’s jobs were to take care of the Garden God gave him (Gen. 2:15) and to name the animals (Gen. 2:19-20).

The first man was also given his first commandment from His Creator. Although Adam could eat any of the fruits in the Garden, he was forbidden to eat from the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” (Gen. 2:17). Adam was warned that he would die if he ate of the forbidden tree’s fruit!
“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.” Gen. 2:17

We do not know what kind of fruit it bore. It could have been an apple, a pear, or some exotic fruit. Most people imagine the fruit was an apple only because that is what an artist painted many years ago.

Although the other animals had companions, the man had none. God saw that it was not good that man was alone (Gen. 2:18). The Creator put Adam to sleep and took one of his ribs (Gen. 2:16). God closed up the incision on the man’s side and made Adam a companion from that rib. When God brought what He had made to Adam, the man called her “Woman,” which means “she was taken from Man” (Gen. 2:23). Now Adam had someone with whom he could share his life and work. They were husband and wife (Gen. 2:25), naked and not ashamed of it.

In the Garden, there was a deceitful and crafty (“subtil”) serpent. That snake did not slither on its belly as we see them do today (Gen. 3:14), and it talked (Gen. 3:1). Perhaps, at the time, other creatures in the Garden also talked.

The sneaky serpent was Satan. We know that the serpent was Satan, as he is called a serpent in Rev. 12:9. Throughout the Bible, we see Satan’s intervention as one who tries to get mankind to do contrary to what God commands us not to do. He also is a deceiver (I Chron. 21:1, II Cor. 11:3, Rev. 20:2, 10).
“And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Rev. 12:9.

Satan had a plan to get the man and his wife to break God’s commandment. He got Eve to question what God commanded Adam not to do.
“Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” Gen. 3:1.

The serpent’s ploy confused Eve, as she had only heard God’s commandment indirectly from Adam. She incorrectly re-iterated to Satan what God had said to Adam. God never told Adam not to touch the tree. Adam was to tend (“dress”) the trees, so he had probably come in contact with the tree. He was told not to eat the fruit of the tree.
“And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of 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 hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.” Gen. 3:2-3.

Satan continued with his deception. He got Eve to think that God was not telling the truth and that she surely would not die if she ate of the tree (Gen. 3:4). The enemy of God advanced his attack by convincing Eve that God did not want them to eat the fruit because if they did, they would know good and evil and be as “gods.” She was also tempted by the idea that she could be like God.
“For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” Gen. 3:5

Eve fell for Satan’s trickery. She ate the fruit and gave it to Adam to eat. Although the woman was deceived, Adam also partook of the fruit. That brief moment of his disobedience to God’s commandment changed his and Eve’s life, the world, and much that was in it. It was the biggest disaster that ever happened on this planet! The first sin was committed.
”And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” I Tim. 2:14

Sin is the most destructive activity on Earth. It has ruined, destroyed, changed, and shortened lives. Iniquity has broken hearts, sent billions of souls to Hell, separated man from God, and had many other disastrous results. Because of Adam and Eve’s disobedience, sin was now in the world! The world would never be the same!

The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil did not have to be there. God put it there for a reason. It was an opportunity for the man and his wife to trust God and do what He had commanded. There was always and will always be a temptation to do wrong. It is always up to individuals to make the right decisions and not submit to temptation.

Although we have not walked and talked with God in person, as did Adam and Eve, we still have commandments that we should obey. The Bible is the source where we can learn al of sHis commandments.

Many of them we have already learned. We know that lying is against God’s commandment. We know that stealing is wrong. It is also understood that it is wrong to disobey our parents. Most may know what is right and wrong, but when they purposely commit those sins, we are deciding, as did Adam and Eve, to disobey God.

We can see how Adam and Eve ruined their relationship with God and hurt themselves, but we do the same too often. We may think that what the first man and woman did was more serious than our disobedience to God’s commandments; however, our sin is a life-changing iniquity in God’s eyes. Sin is against God. It hurts us and others around us, as did the first sin.

“If God put Adam out of the earthly Eden on account of one sin, do you
think He will let us into the Paradise above with our tens of thousands
of sins upon us?” — D. L. Moody

The Wage of Sin Loomed Overhead
C. H. Spurgeon

I am reminded of the story of Dionysius, the tyrant. He wished to punish the one who had displeased him. He invited him to a noble feast.

Rich were the foods that were spread upon the table and rare the wines he was invited to drink. A chair was placed at the head of the table, and the guest was seated upon it.

Horror of horrors! The feast might have been rich, but the guest was miserable. However splendid was the array of servants and rich the dainties, yet he who had been invited sat there in agony. For what reason? Because over his head hung a sword; a furbished sword, suspended by a single hair. He sat with the sword above him, with nothing but a hair between him and death. You may conceive the poor man’s misery. He could not escape; he had to sit where he was. How could he feast? How could he rejoice?

My unconverted hearer, thou art today in a similar position. You have all thy riches and thy wealth before thee, and with the comforts of a home and the joys of a household. You are in a place from which thou canst not escape. The sword of death hangs above thee. It is prepared to descend; and woe unto thee, when it shall cleave thy soul from thy body. Canst thou yet make mirth and yet procrastinate? If thou canst, then surely thy sin is presumptuous in a high degree.