Anatomy of a Lie

Anatomy of a Lie

Genesis 3: Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

² And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat the fruit of the trees of the garden; ³ but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ ”

⁴ Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

 

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Harmony existed between GOD, man and woman. GOD had HIS two trees, man and woman had their millions of trees. GOD could eat from HIS trees, man and woman and animals could eat from an endless variety. Satan, took the form of a serpent, probably to hide from being seen. He did not approach the man, rather he approached the woman.

 

My Observations:

• Satan started his lie by questioning GOD in a way that creates doubt.
• Eve, added words to what was told to her.
• Satan capitalized on her misunderstanding by telling her something that was not true.

 

Let me start off by saying that GOD has not revealed all that HE is to humans. I have to go to the end mankind to explain the beginning of the fall. In the end, Satan “was” sentenced to eternal death and GOD sealed up his fate in a scroll that could only be opened by a sinless human. Satan was thrown out of heaven to earth.

 

I believe this is where our story picks up. Satan wanted to ruin “all” humans, starting with the first. His plan probably included staying around the garden and controlling the humans with lies. This is not written, but fits the way Satan operates. Satan’s entire motive was to “be” GOD and to take over. If he could get the humans to fall, then he would accomplish getting all humans!

 

Challenge:

• Why does GOD clarify the conversation between Eve and Satan to Moses?
• Have you ever wanted something so badly that you were willing to lie?
• Are you being lied to regarding your worth, or if GOD loves you?

No More Traps

Matthew 22: ⁴¹ While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, ⁴² “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”

“The son of David,” they replied.

⁴³ He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,

⁴⁴ “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
    under your feet.”’

⁴⁵ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” ⁴⁶ No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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“Why?” is the question I asked GOD. “If YOU are GOD, the why” fill in the blank with whatever question. I asked this on many occasion. I never got an answer.

• Sometimes I question GOD’s authority.
• Sometimes I question GOD’s power.
• Sometimes I question GOD’s position on matters.

Supremacy of GOD is what I question. I mean “Why does GOD allow ‘that’ person to get away with seemingly everything?” Usually I ask that question when I am not getting my way. JESUS quiets the Pharisees and Sadducees for good. No more traps were set because they were made to look like fools.

• GOD wants me to learn to believe in HIM without question.
• GOD wants me to grow in faith so I can throw away my sinful questions.
• GOD wants me to ask without doubting, knowing HE will answer the right questions.

Questioning GOD’s authority has never yielded a favorable answer to any human. Asking HIM “What would YOU like me to do LORD?” always yields fruit. GOD does not mind questions, as long as they point towards growth in me and HIS kingdom.

• Are you trying to trap GOD?
• Do your words try to trap others?
• Can you stop trying to twist situations and ask GOD to lead you?

Dilemma Answers

Matthew 21: ²³ Jesus entered the temple courts, and, while he was teaching, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him. “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you this authority?”

²⁴ Jesus replied, “I will also ask you one question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. ²⁵ John’s baptism—where did it come from? Was it from heaven, or of human origin?”

They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ ²⁶ But if we say, ‘Of human origin’—we are afraid of the people, for they all hold that John was a prophet.”

²⁷ So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Then he said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

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“Have the answer before you ask the question” was the advice of the person who seemingly had “made it.” I tried it and I could suddenly tell when a person was lying. He then told me I could use this as an advantage to put people in a dilemma they could not get out of.” Hmm, this may be a good idea” I thought to myself.

• There were times I listened to hear what politics were being played.
• There were times I tried to hear words so I could have a better political stance.
• There were times I would collect my position way before I met with “that” person.

Twisted thinking brings out twisted words. Trying to “think ahead” of GOD is very impossible, but that is what the Pharisees were trying to do. They tried to twist JESUS’s words against HIM so their questions were well thought out for their advantage.

JESUS saw right through their twisted plot and did not answer their question. HE knew they were not “with” HIM rather their questions were only collecting evidence against HIM.

• GOD wants me to ask questions that come from HIS words.
• GOD wants me to ask questions that inspire people to love HIM.
• GOD wants me to ask questions that enable people to be drawn to HIS love, not repel them.

Twisting words and acting political is not trait of GOD and HE doesn’t like it when I am trying to do the same. HE wants me to hold onto the truth HE gives me and then I don’t have to twist or mince words. HE leads me to a place that leads others to HIM.

• Are you twisting words for your gain?
• Are you manipulating the situation for yourself?
• Can you stop your political thinking and start bringing people to GOD today?