There is a proclivity in the mind of man to “taste the forbidden
fruit!” Garden of Eden or not, there is something that lures, challenges, even
dares some people to seek, desire and even cling to that which is forbidden.
I submit that this proclivity has its roots in the essence
of the Garden of Eden narrative of the serpent’s encounter with both Adam and
Eve. There is no indication of the expanse of time between the divine directive
to avoid the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the moment
of defiant disobedience of both Adam and Eve. Knowing the consequence of death,
the lure of the “forbidden” overshadowed the assurance of the blessings of
obedience!
The “lure!” Yes! A person does not design a “lure” for
themselves. “Lures” are designed for “victims!” And what greater “victims”
could there be for the adversary of the creator than those “creatures” who were
designed and fashioned in the very “image and likeness” of the creator? Entice
with that which is “forbidden” as that which is perceived as the “desirable!” “And when she saw …,” and they both “ate!” They
both “consumed!” They both made that which was “forbidden” into that which they
desired!
Keep in mind the distinct consequences of doing such:
“And the lord God commanded the man, saying, 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
Now, adversaries are not easily deterred from achieving
their goals, especially when they can use their “victim’s” prized “resources”
against them! Satan is the eternal adversary
of God! So, not only is his objective “temporary,” but it is also eternal! And
the adversary’s objective is eternal!
Notice that the adversary did not focus on the “eternal”
with Adam and Eve. Instead he called their attention to the perceived temporal
benefits of the “right now.”
“And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely
die:
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.” –
Genesis 3:4-5
Isn’t it interesting how much the “perceived benefits” of
the “right now” can and will cause one to lose what they have, while trying to
achieve what they think they don’t already have? And in the process, forfeit
what they had!
Now, the adversary did not stop his “gameplan” with mankind
– those creatures created in “God’s image and after his likeness.” He even
sought to “lure” the son of God away from his divine plan and purpose in order
to “seal” the eternal consequences of the adversary’s “gameplan” upon mankind!
“Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and
showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you
will fall down and worship me.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is
written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’” –
Matthew 4:8-10
The “hook” of the “lure” was in the submission of oneself to
“fall down and worship” the adversary of God! To follow, obey, live by, encourage
and lead others, and even “worship” – to yield their allegiance and life service
to him – Satan!
The challenge comes to you and me, the offspring of Adam and
Eve, to not be swayed by the adversary’s “lures” nor caught by his multiple
“hooks!”
The image of God is still in the spiritual DNA of mankind!
To forfeit that eternal image and those eternal blessings for the adversary’s
temporal “lures” will result in the eternal damnation of losing what you have
in order to gain what is not yours to have!
Eternal life in heaven – in the presence of the creator of heaven
and earth – is not in the adversary’s power nor ability to give! All that the adversary
– and those who live by his spiritually divisive principles - has to “give” are
“lures” to eternal damnation and destination in the “mar a lago el incendio” –
the “sea of the lake of fire!
Don’t get hooked like others by satanic “lures!”
Be careful how you deal with the forbidden fruit!
Pastor Samuel W. Hale, Jr. is the former pastor of Zion Missionary Baptist Church and president of J.L. Powell Mission Ministries.
