Freedom and Temptation

READ:  "Then Yahweh Elohim took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to farm the land and to take care of it. Yahweh Elohim commanded the man. He said, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden.  But you must never eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil because when you eat from it, you will certainly die.”  and " The snake was more clever than all the wild animals Yahweh Elohim had made. He asked the woman, “Did Elohim really say, ‘You must never eat the fruit of any tree in the garden’?” The woman answered the snake, “We’re allowed to eat the fruit from any tree in the garden except the tree in the middle of the garden. Elohim said, ‘You must never eat it or touch it. If you do, you will die!’” “You certainly won’t die!” the snake told the woman. “Elohim knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened. You’ll be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.” The woman saw that the tree had fruit that was good to eat, nice to look at, and desirable for making someone wise. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then their eyes were opened, and they both realized that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together and made clothes for themselves.

-- Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7

THINK:  When God placed Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, He gave them the freedom to eat (enjoy) “every tree in the garden” except one. He allowed them considerable freedom to enjoy life and gave them one simple command. But Adam and Eve failed to keep God’s one command. 

What do you do when no one else is watching?  Obeying parents, teachers, bosses and God is choosing freedom. Choosing not to do things you have been instructed to do is appealing. You may think, “Who cares? No one is watching. It won’t hurt this one time.” You may even have others telling you it is okay. But, in the end, it causes you to lose freedoms and sometimes to be separated from those who love you.  God gives us the freedom to live life to the fullest. He only asks us to trust and obey. 

DO:  Write down some freedoms you and your friends enjoy. Now ask God in prayer to help you be obedient to His simple commands, such as loving others before self, serving others cheerfully, and encouraging others. Choose to serve someone or encourage a friend today.