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999 Trees
How do you tempt perfect people? Adam & Eve were perfect people. They lacked nothing. So how was it that Satan was able to tempt them? I mean, he couldn't tempt them with adultery. There was no one else to commit adultery with. He couldn't tempt them with money, there was none. He couldn't tempt them with material things either. Adam & Eve had everything they could possibly want. So how was it then that they were able to be tempted?
He tempted them by deceiving them to believe that they were lacking something. He used trickery to convince them to partake in the one and only thing they were forbidden to eat. He successfully persuaded them to fall into sin by purposefully routing their attention away from all the wonderful things they already had, and directed their focus onto the one and only thing that they didn't.
Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Let's assume, for the purpose of discussion, that God had created 1,000 luscious fruit bearing trees and placed Adam & Eve in the middle of them. And the only stipulation was to avoid one of the trees in the middle of the Garden. That would mean they had full and complete access to 999 of the other trees. What if Satan had rephrased his question? What if he had stated it like this:
"Has God said that you can only eat of 999 trees?"
I think if he had posed this question in this manor, Adam & Eve's focus would have been directed to the vast amount of trees they did have permission to eat instead of the one tree that they didn't.
Isn't this exactly the way he tempts us today? I can attest to the fact that he uses this same tactic on me, often. Many more times that I am willing to admit I allow my thoughts to drift towards all of the things that I do not have in my life, rather than all of the things that I do. One of the quotes that has always stuck with me is as follows:
Happiness is not having what you want. .
Happiness is wanting what you have.
Today my friend, I encourage you to take a personal inventory of all of the wonderful things God has already provided in your life. Everything we have is a gift from God. He is a good God. Instead of dwelling on something, or someone that's missing, point those internal binoculars of yours in the direction of everything that you do have. I think you'll soon discover that you have already been blessed beyond measure. I know I have, and today, I choose tho think on these things.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
As a single man, I can honestly say that there is one fruit that is missing in my life. I don't think I need to point out what that one fruit is. However, today I choose to praise God for everything that He is and everything He has done for me. Yes there is one tree that I cannot eat from at this time, but Thank you Jesus that there are 999 trees from which I can!
My friend, I ask you this today.....Are you satisfied with 99.9%?
I love you brothers and sisters,
Michael |
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Carol Hall November 04, 2008
Awesome, Michael! I have always loved that quote you posted too. I heard a sermon once where the preacher asked, "Why do we compare ourselves with people who have more, instead of comparing ourselves with people who have less?" There are always people who are way less fortunate than we are; we need to see how blessed we really are. I am satisfied with 99.9%! |
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Cindy November 04, 2008
Philippians 4:8 is one of my favorite verses! |
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Michael Moore November 04, 2008
Amen Carol!
"Why do we compare ourselves with people who have more, instead of comparing ourselves with people who have less?"
My shoes may be worn out but Praise God I have feet!
Hi Cindy! - If we would live by that verse each day, eh?
Thank you Wolf Spirit! |
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Brother Todd November 04, 2008
The gospel according to Sheryl Crowe very good! Seriously though, we are always discontent and that is why the Scripture says godliness with contentment is great gain. God said He would give us what we need. Though we see things that look good to us and would seem good to us, Father knows best. |
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Michael Moore November 04, 2008
Hi Todd!
"Seriously though, we are always discontent "
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
Not only humans are discontent, but all of creation. Everything is Out Of Order |
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Mike N Laura November 04, 2008
Michael, yes he still works the same way. The Genesis scripture doesn't tell us how long Satan observed A & E before going in for the kill. I believe he spent a LOT of time observing them and getting to know them. Today he knows our weaknesses, and uses them against us. However, it is important not to ascribe to the devil more power than he really has.
Great blog as usual Michael. Thanks for sharing your thoughts! |
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Michael Moore November 04, 2008
Thanks Mike
Satan has been de-clawed and de-fanged. The only tool he has available to him is deception. He has been dragged through the streets of Scripture in a Triumphal Procession. Our only real problem is that we often miss the parade!
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
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Remarkable Terry November 04, 2008
Yes there is one tree that I cannot eat from at this time, but Thank you Jesus that there are 999 trees from which I can!
ME TOO MICHAEL........
I choose to praise God for everything that He is and everything He has done for me. |
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Michael Moore November 04, 2008
Hi there Terry - Thanks for the visit and thanks for being you. |
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Deb Rockwell November 04, 2008
Excellent blog Michael and so true. Satan knows where our achilles heal is, and he goes straight for it. He knows our weaknesses and prays on that. We have to make sure we have on our full armor of God. |
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Michael Moore November 04, 2008
Thanks Deb!
While your comment is indeed loaded with truth, I suppose I didn't do a very good job about getting my point across this time. While yes, part of this message was dealing with the temptations we face, the larger message here was the fact that we have been blessed abundantly and to keep our focus on the things that we do have rather than the things we don't.
In other words, the 999 trees instead of the 1!
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Cheryl Whit November 04, 2008
Hey brother,
999 Trees...how cool. What a blessing it is that God has given us so many things! I delight in him too.
Say hi to your sweetie for me~
See ya |
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Michael Moore November 04, 2008
Hi Cheryl!
"What a blessing it is that God has given us so many things!"
Yeah, right? He treats us good doesn't he? And just imagine the choice of fruits we are going to have on the New Earth. Yes, I certainly am looking forward to the present heaven, but the New Earth is where the true longing of my heart lies! Fruit trees galore.....including tree #1,000! |
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Joey Dogzbiskit November 07, 2008
Dear Michael,
My heart is full, and so is my cup. It just runs over! Thank you, for making me think about it.
God is good, so very, very good to us.
God bless you,
Joey |
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Michael Moore November 08, 2008
Amen Joey!
"My heart is full, and so is my cup. It just runs over!"
You are such a blessing. Thank you! |
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