Tuesday, November 5, 2013

November 6, 2013

"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’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”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 3:1-6

What do you think our world would look like today if Adam and Eve would have been more grateful and less greedy?

Do you think they would have given into greedy thoughts if their minds had been occupied with grateful thoughts?

How many of your troubles can be traced to being led down the wrong path by your greedy desires?

Would you have those greedy desires if it were not for Adam and Eve?

Would you make better decisions if you were controlled by gratitude rather than greed?

Interesting questions don't you think?

But this blog is more interested in practical solutions than in theoretical questions and the fact is Adam and Eve sinned by disobeying God and their lack of gratitude was a contributing factor to that sin.

Here are some insights and observations from their "original sin":

1) Gratitude is evidence of humility

When Adam and Eve walked humbly with God they enjoyed Paradise in every aspect of their lives.

2) Gratitude is evidence of honesty

When Adam and Eve walked humbly with God His wisdom gave them clear understanding of truth. Walking with God gave them an honest view of God and of themselves.

3) Gratitude is evidence of harmony

Walking with God every day and talking with Him was what they were created to do! He created them to share His love and His life. Before they strayed too close to the Tree, they enjoyed a glorious oneness with their Creator.

4) Gratitude is evidence of holiness

Adam and Eve were holy when then walked with God because holiness is loving God completely and obeying Him perfectly. Until they became greedy for power and knowledge.

So let's review:

Greed led to disobedience and rebellion.

Gratitude led to humility, honesty, harmony and holiness.

There is tremendous power in a thankful spirit!

Which attitude dominates your thinking?