The Great Deception

Adam…Eve…The Garden…The Snake…Death

Genesis 3 is a pretty intense chapter of the Bible. From Genesis 4, to Revelation 22 is the story of life after death.

So…Who died?

More like ‘what died?’

When Adam was created, God programmed him with a godly nature. The crazy thing is that He didn’t make him ‘incorruptable.’ The same went for Eve. Satan knew that. He took the form of a snake (the craftiest of all animals), and whispered sweet nothings into her ears. ‘God didn’t really say that if you ate of this tree you would die. In fact, he said that you would know the difference between good and evil! You will be just like him (paraphrase)!’

What a liberating thought…to be even more like God.

Who would turn down that offer? That’s an offer no one could ever refuse! I know, in that situation, I wouldn’t want to refuse that! But at the same time, who would want to be ‘just like God?’ Would you want his responsibilities? Would you want to hold the world at its proper axis for all of mankind to survive? How about being the only one responsible for the entire universe? And get cussed out when things do go someone’s way? Talk about pressure…

I can barely multi-task as it is…

I don’t want his responsibilities. I know that I couldn’t handle all of them. Just look at Bruce Almighty…

I want his characteristics. The only responsibilities he’s given me is to love Him and love people.

The devil lies to all of us daily. Some of us believe it. Some of us don’t. Some do one day. Some don’t the next. But, everyday, he is whispering sweet nothing into everyone’s ears. We believe the lies, and then turn around spread them to everyone they come in contact with. I picture Satan sitting at a desk with his feet propped up and his hands behind his head with a satisfied grin. Smiling at the chaos he’s created, and at the fact that he doesn’t really have to do much with a lot of us. He hits us where it hurts, and is so effective.

So…where’s the truth?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

If that was confusing…check out the Bible.

Old Lies and New Creations…

The devil is a liar…

#understatement

Its crazy to me how much I/we believe almost everything we’re told. Lately, I’ve been on a search for the truth for some things. I’m doing some of my own investigations. If you want to know what I am investigating please send me a message on Facebook, Twitter, email, text, snail mail, etc.

Anyway…I’m having a hard time believing that I’m worthless. Yet, that’s what I’m being told as soon as I open my eyes in the morning. I’m being told to be apathetic…that my opinions don’t matter…that my efforts are in vain…that I am not a new creation.

2 Corinthians 2:10-11 says to be aware of what the devil is doing, and to be taken advantage of by him.

2 Corinthians 5:16-20 explains how we are new creations when we come to Christ.

Sooo….why don’t we live like new creations?

The bible says that people that follow Christ should be apparently different from those that are in the world…which rings true with the whole ‘new creation’ thing. It seems like nowadays Christianity has two sides to it. Frontrunners and Black Ops. Where’s the balance? What is the most effective way to be a new creation. Wear Christian t-shirts? WWJD bracelet comeback? Jesus on my neck-a-lace (thanks Kesha!)?

I just don’t ask ‘What is the most effective way?’ But, also, IS there a most effective way. Some people say grassroots evangelism…others say take the time to build a relationship, then drop the bomb….some say, ‘When in Rome (which, in my opinion, is a little dangerous, and a possible cop out to do what you want to do and justify it).

I’ve sat in staff meetings coming up with creative strategies to effectively minister, evangelize, lead people to God, etc. There’s a lot of ways to show Jesus to someone, but only one way to God. The devil lies and says that there are many routes to God, Heaven, Nirvana, etc. We’re conviced to spend more time, money, and resources for a good time outreach. And in the hustle and bustle of the planning, and whatnot, we forget the reason we’re doing this in the first place. We’re frustrated. We hold on to the old lies of performance, and take that old man out and wear that crappy thing around.

Do we ever really get rid of the old creation? Is it in the attic…? The closet…? Under the bed…?

Old habits die harder than Bruce Willis. We have to be aware that when we get rid of the old man (lifestyles, habits, desires), the devil might take it and use it against us one day…when we’re at our most vulnerable point. He never takes a day off from lying, killing, stealing, and destroying…

Keep your head on a swivel kids…