Take No Thought

PART ONE
Yesterday

Satan’s Lie to Mankind
CHAPTER ONE
SATAN’S LIE

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’?” Genesis 3:1

Does the lie Satan fed to Eve when they were in the garden on yesterday have any real effect on us today? According to the Word of God, it does. As a matter of fact, all people have been penalized because of man’s response to this lie Satan told to this first couple. Eve swallowed this lie yesterday, and that fruit seems to be stuck in our throats today.

I am persuaded that Satan lied to this first human family for several reasons:
• He is a liar and the father of lies. He can’t help himself. He is angry with God and wants to even the score through personal revenge.

CHAPTER TWO
You Know the Truth!

And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Genesis 2:16-17

Is it really true that “what you don’t know can’t hurt you?” How many times have you heard that statement? Before you answer this question too hastily, you might need to look under the covering to see the real issue at hand. You should also check to assess what impact this question will have upon the decision you make.

Growing up I learned several clichés from the community. I was pretty much like you in this regard. I learned quickly the things not meant for me to learn. My peers, adults and others all taught me things that veered from the truth as I knew it. Nevertheless, I learned these clichés because I was convinced that I would have an edge on others.

One cliché used frequently was “what I don’t know can’t hurt me.” I took great delight in using this phrase because this was an escape from the negative consequences (or so I thought). I used this frequently at school and at play. My compensation for my overuse of this excuse was poor grades, constant trips to the principal’s office, and more whippings than I want to remember. I knew better, but, this cliché was my disclaimer.

I can remember times when my mother specifically instructed me to do a chore in the house. Purposely, I failed to do as I had been instructed…..

CHAPTER THREE
Wheeling and Dealing With Satan

“You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.‘ ” Matthew 4:10 * Recommended reading; Matthew 3:13 - 4:11

In the 1960's and 1970's there was a game show entitled ‘Let’s Make A Deal’. The host, Monte Hall, made all sorts of deals with his audience. The audience traveled from all over the world, and wore all sorts of costumes. It seemed as if the most interesting costumes were picked to participate. But, people were picked at random. In this audience, tons of excitement and energy was generated. People who were part of this audience knew that they were there to make a deal. Associated with making a deal was also taking a chance on the deal which was made.

Monte Hall would sometimes entice a guest with an amount of money. Then, he would ask if they would like to trade the money for what was behind the curtain (on stage). By this time the audience is screaming and coaching the person being propositioned, “take the curtain, take the curtain.” Many times the person making the deal was persuaded to take the curtain, though still a bit unsure. Now the excitement is almost more than they can handle. The game host would say, “You’re running out of time and you must decide.” While the excitement level is high, and people are shouting “take the curtain, take the curtain” this person finally makes a decision. The participant is now ready to see what has been won, when the host offers another proposition. This time the stakes are higher. “I’ll give you an additional two hundred dollars if you refuse the curtain”.

Now this person is not only excited, they are anxious and curious. While thinking silently they ask, ‘what’s behind that curtain that he doesn’t want me to get?‘

Satan tried this same trick with Jesus shortly after his fast of forty days and forty nights. Satan had a date with Jesus and propositioned Him to buy the same program as did Adam and Eve. Jesus had what Satan couldn’t handle. Jesus did not rely upon His own flesh to handle Satan. Jesus used the Word of God. Satan is not just a little guy who is guessing at pulling people down. Satan is high tech and he does his homework prior to coming our way. If people insist upon using carnal weapons to war against Satan, they will continue to be powerless against him. We need the Lord’s help at all times. Week after week I hear of persons on television, radio, and among people I know, claiming to have power to destroy Satan. They claim the ability to rebuke Satan, stomp him in the head, give him a black eye, break his collar bone and to tear his kingdom down. This is sick! After all these attempts, Satan remains Satan. Satan gets a big laugh o" of these people who are seriously in error.

CHAPTER FOUR
Some Things You don’t Need to See

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. Genesis 3:6.

• Why aren’t we content with what God has given to us?
• Why can’t we trust that the Lord knows what is best for us?
• Why aren’t we more content with where God has placed us?
• Why are we so easily swayed and influenced by outsiders to rebel against
• those who truly care for us, whether they are our parents, our spouse, our supervisor, teachers, team leaders, guardian or pastor?

Many years ago I remember glancing at a Ziggy comic strip. Ziggy was running and his friend caught up with him and asked Ziggy where was he going? Ziggy replied, “nowhere”. His friend concluded with this question, “why are you running so fast”? There are a lot of Ziggies in the world today. They are in a hurry to go nowhere. The older community tried to warn the youngsters to take their time to grow up because they would be grown longer than they are children. Our parents and other mature persons knew the negative effects that the use of alcohol, smoking tobacco, drugs, bad company, premarital sexual intercourse, and street life would have on young people.….