What Went Wrong? Understanding Sin and Redemption
When examining the fundamental question of what went wrong with humanity, we must look back to the beginning - the Garden of Eden. This pivotal moment shaped the course of human history and our relationship with God.
The Original Sin: Choosing Desires Over God's Word
In Genesis 2-3, God gave Adam and Eve clear instructions not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. However, when tempted by the serpent, they chose to follow their own desires rather than trust God's word. The serpent used crafty half-truths to question God's authority and play on their desires.
Why Do We Still Struggle with Sin Today?
The same pattern continues today - we know what God wants but instead choose to:
Trust our own sight and understanding
Follow our desires and feelings
Try to fit God around our plans rather than shape our lives around His will
Suppress truth in favor of what we want
The Consequences of Rejecting God's Truth
When we reject God's standards and truth:
We experience separation from God
Our thinking becomes futile
We exchange truth for lies
God "gives us over" to our sinful desires
Society descends into moral chaos
How Can We Return to God?
The solution begins with belief and faith:
Taking God at His word even when we don't fully understand
Trusting His ways are better than our desires
Accepting that our human understanding is extremely limited
Believing in Jesus' sacrifice for our redemption
Life Application
This week, examine areas where you're trusting your own desires and understanding rather than God's word. Ask yourself:
Where am I trying to fit God around my plans instead of shaping my life around His will?
What desires am I placing above God's clear instructions?
Am I willing to take God at His word even when it doesn't make sense to me?
Challenge: Choose one area where you've been following your own understanding and commit to taking God at His word instead. Study scripture related to that area and pray for the strength to trust His way over your desires.
Remember - we don't have to fully understand everything to believe. Faith means trusting God even when we can't see or comprehend the full picture.