Adam and Eve knew they were not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for God had forbidden it. He told them, “For in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” But, being tempted by Satan in the form of a serpent, Eve ate of the fruit and then offered it to Adam. This is how sin entered into the world and began to grow like weeds in a field…so fast it became hard to contain.
Today we find ourselves surrounded by sin and evil …some so horrid it causes most of us to cringe. There are many areas of life that most people try to avoid and many have been encouraged to stay away from…but the lure of smoky bars and back alleys for some is just too strong. Kids and adults alike allow themselves to be drawn into a world filled with drugs, sex and other addictions. Many times this way of life leads to anger, lies, deceit, robbery and even murder.
Some sins are very discrete and go everywhere we go… mostly unnoticed in the scurry of everyday life. We all encounter bouts of discontent, depressing negative attitudes, fits of anger, filthy language…whether they come from us or from those around us, all have one purpose: to distract us and keep us separated from God.
When Jesus Christ gave up His life and breathed His final breath all separation from God the Father was done away with…the power of sin was overcome by God’s love for His Son and for every one of us who choose to believe. Sin will always be with us, but because of Jesus it no longer has a hold on us…unless we allow it to.
Like Adam and Eve, we have all been told, “don’t touch, don’t go there, don’t give in to temptation,” but sometimes we choose to ignore the advice of others and go our own way. A child has to see for his or herself that the fire is hot, the floor is slippery and dirt is not for eating. As we get older and reach the age of accountability, that old serpent is always there, and often joined by ‘friends,’ telling us, “Go ahead, it won’t be as bad as they say…and nobody will ever know.” 1 Peter 5: 8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
We must learn to recognize this voice and say to Satan, as Jesus did: “Get ye behind me!” If we resist the devil, he will flee from us. The name, Jesus Christ, strikes fear in the heart of evil and His love casts away temptation. The devil is known as the great deceiver and the father of lies. Just as he did with Eve, he tries to fill or minds with doubt and our hearts with fear…and sometimes this deception gets into the hearts of men and they begin to believe his lies so fully, they are determined to make us believe them too.
Many people today are being influenced by the ideas of a socialist government. Socialism is one step away from Communism…once our country’s greatest enemy. When I was a child in school we learned daily of the evils of Communism and how it must be fought on every level. Too many sons and daughters have died on foreign soil in order to save us from this evil. Why would we even consider giving it a second thought today? Because our old adversary is still at it and still pushing his lies.
Many Christians believe that God’s people have no business getting involved with politics and the direction our government might take. But we are told in Isaiah 9: 6 For unto us a child is born, and unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
Our country is on a downhill spiral right now and the results could be devastating unless we, the people (God’s people) take a stand and put an end to the reckless deceitful ideas that many are trying to tell us are acceptable and should be embraced. Our freedoms came at a great cost and we must not allow those who seek only to fill their own pockets to take them away…and they will. In spite of their offers of free stuff and benefits without having to work for them, we must count the cost and stand firm in our beliefs that God is the one in charge and always will be.
Sin has our country in its grip and the devil is working overtime to see us fail. Just as we pray for each other, we must pray for our leaders and those who hold government offices. The world is full of forbidden fruits and Satan is whispering in the ears of those who would lead us down a path many have already traveled…and many still do. Let us not be deceived by a serpent whose lies lead only to death. Let us look to the One who loves us best and wants only the best for our country and His people.
Let’s not think of ourselves as Republicans and Democrats, but as Christians concerned about the world our children and grandchildren will be raised in. Let us consult with our Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ and ask Him once again to intervene and to keep our country safe from the one who comes only to destroy. Let us not reach for the forbidden fruit, but for the truth and security that only knowing Him can bring.
