Think living God’s way has too many rules? Nothing’s written in stone, right? Want to make your own decisions without some invisible force interfering? Flash! Invisible forces are as much a part of this world as the air we breathe. Being alerted to the one ancient antagonist directing wickedness in today’s world could help in decision-making.
Too Many Rules
Often individuals who speak against living God’s way cite too many rules as their major objection. A glance back in history reveals even one is too many when the ancient antagonist is involved.
In the beginning, God created a perfect world for Adam and Eve. Their Father provided all they needed in the beautiful, peaceful and food-producing garden. Everyone got along well—man and animals alike. Until one particular snake…
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?’” (Gen. 3:1 NIV)
In fact, God had forbidden them from eating from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil in order to preserve their lives. Adam and Eve enjoyed the garden’s offerings, satisfied and content with the life God had given them. The Almighty even stopped by for a chat or walk in the cool of the evening from time to time. Life didn’t get any better than that.
Eve told the snake God had given them only one rule, and they’d die if they broke it. Likely, the snake sneered when he responded. “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.” (Gen 3:4a NIV)
As is often the case, the snake told the couple a half-truth. True their spirit wouldn’t die if they ate the fruit, but doing so would begin the process of decay that would lead to the death of their mortal bodies. They would be separated from God because of their disobedience.
Until this moment, Eve and Adam hadn’t really given the forbidden fruit much notice. Now, however, the snake’s words had ignited a desire to taste the fruit that looked so inviting on second glance.
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.” (Gen. 3:6 NIV)
Interestingly, Adam had been told not to eat that fruit well before Eve came into his life. The romantic in me would have liked him to try to stop his beloved from that first bite, but it’s more likely that Adam believed the snake. He didn’t want to miss out.
In any case, our forefather and foremother rebelled against following only the one rule Creator God had given them. Even one was too many.
Why did they do that when they’d been so happy in the Garden? Because the story’s not about us. It’s the age-old battle between the loving, Almighty God, the protagonist, and the evil snake, the antagonist. He’s puny and has only the power humans give him to affect their lives, but he’s shown his ways are effective.
The snake’s premise and strategy remain the same over all these millennia. His simple plan is as follows:
- Target command. God said…
- Create doubt. Snake says…Did God really say…?
- Insert half-truth. “You won’t certainly die.”
- Mission accomplished. Crunch and share apple.
Written in Stone
Many times the snake has convinced people that God’s commands are just guidelines—not written in stone. They are free to read and discard God’s commands, or if not utterly delete, at least, tweak a little for the modern society’s needs.
The real truth is this: God’s commands have been literally written in stone, not once but twice.
“The Lord said to Moses, ‘Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.’” (Ex. 34:1 NIV)
This time, God gave us ten commandments. Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21 record what the finger of God wrote on the front and back of the two stone tablets. Here’s a stripped to the bone version:
- You shall have no other gods before Me.
- You shall not make idols.
- You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
- Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
- Honor your father and your mother.
- You shall not murder.
- You shall not commit adultery.
- You shall not steal.
- You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
- You shall not covet anything.
For each one, the snake is saying, “Did God really say… ,” Insisting that whatever God said, He didn’t mean it.
The snake constantly assures us that we have a right to make our own choices…unless, of course, we want to choose to obey God. Then, the snake pulls out all the stops, using the modern application of our State and national laws to hinder us.
The continuous battle between Almighty God and the snake sets us—and our choices—squarely in the middle of the battlefield. The snake tries to prove that no human being will ever choose to obey God, and he’s out to find proof as he roams the earth.
Is there any solution to the wickedness plaguing our world? What can we do to stop the brutal slaying of the innocents? What weapon do we have against the snake?
Effective Weapon
Though my current residence in the urban area only rarely involves combat with venomous snakes, such warfare took place regularly in the jungle. During the nine years my home sat on the outskirts of a jungle village, I had numerous opportunities to take a weapon to a deadly snake. The jungle rule dictated the slitherer’s fate. The snake’s domain lies outside the buildings, but cross the threshold, and the battle begins.
If the shovel couldn’t be accessed quickly, the machete—our jungle sword—whacked off the head of the serpent. His venomous mouth immediately lost its power. Nevertheless, the headless body’s strong twisting and sideways motion continued for long moments.
Today—in the cities and rural areas of every country of the world, our most effective weapon against the ancient antagonist is the same—cut off his head with a sword to silence his deadly mouth. Remember: For a Christian, the sword is the Word of God.
Jesus gave us the example of how to defeat the snake, recorded in the Gospels.
The Spirit of God led Jesus into the wilderness to be tested. Having fasted forty days and nights, Jesus became hungry. The snake knew it and took the opportunity to test Jesus in three crucial areas, now that his body showed some need. Matthew recorded the encounter in Chapter Four of his book.
Test One: “The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.’”
“Jesus answered, ‘It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (MT 4:3-4 NIV)
Test Two: “Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said, ‘throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
“Jesus answered him, ‘It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” (MT 4:5-7 NIV)
Test Three: “Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. ‘All this I will give you,’ he said, ‘if you will bow down and worship me.’”
“Jesus said to him, ‘Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” (MT 4:8-10 NIV)
Finale: “Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.” (MT 4:11 NIV)
Our most powerful weapon against the ancient antagonist is the Word of God: It is written… . Even the snake quoted Scripture when he tested Jesus. Like any weapon, one must study it and practice wielding it in all situations. Only then will we be ready when the ancient antagonist preys on us at a weak moment. Even in our weakest moments, the sword will defeat the snake.
Conclusion
Do I actually believe that we can have peace in the world if everyone stopped listening to the snake, quoted God’s laws right back at him, and obeyed what the Almighty God said? Yup! I do. I mean, look at the history of mankind. Everything worked just fine in the Garden before the snake made an offer our ancestors didn’t refuse.
Not going to happen? Hmm? Where is it that everyone hopes they’ll end up at the end of their earthly lives—including the terrorists? Paradise. The only real Paradise is Heaven, created and governed by Almighty God. I guarantee all of God’s commandments will be obeyed there.
How about we get an early start and just obey God now. If all of us—one by one—refuse to follow the new, modern norms and obey God, the snake would have no power over any of us. Every decision we made would be a good one.
Just saying…think about it!
So awesome! We all need to know who the enemy is and how best to wield our weapon!
Thanks for stopping by, Pam. Obviously, I agree with you!