It always seems to start with just one bite, one taste, one look, one try. We soon find ourselves groaning in disbelief that we ate it all again. Did the one thing we were working so hard to avoid, again. Disappointed someone again. Backslid, again. The world wants to blame Adam for this problem but it was Eve who started us down this ugly path of weakness, self-gratification and indulgence.
To be fair, it was who she decided to put her trust in that caused the Great Fall. Two parties working in concert– Satan and Eve’s pridefulness– to disobey God’s command that fateful day led us to where we are today. Adam, that poor soul, had a two-against-one situation convincing him all was well. Of course, it was really two-on-two if Adam had simply spoke God’s name and asked for help. God’s omnipotence would have been the finger pressed heavily on the scale for Adam and Eve to turn from the fruit in question.
But because they both placed their trust in what pastor John Ortberg calls, “a wobbly rock,” we find ourselves repeating a version of the world’s first story each day. Pastor Ortberg, describes this wobbly rock like the one he decided to put his trust in one day while crossing a stream. It looked secure and rooted in the soil. As he leapt on it the rock gave way and into the water he went. Resulting in numerous injuries. And the question today is, “what wobbly rock are you placing your trust in?”
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5
I suppose we should ask, are we such people Paul is warning against? In C.S. Lewis’ essay on the three kinds of men he describes the first type of man as one who lives totally for themselves without any acknowledgement of a higher being who will pass judgment on them or have any expectations of them. For this person, the idea of self-control is based on the whim of the day. “I should” or “I shouldn’t” enter their vocabulary based on family, social group or society’s expectations. This person places their trust in a shifting set of rules based on new emotions, facts, and desires. Today’s “well done” is tomorrow’s regret not because of eternal judgment but because the rules have changed.
The second person is one which Mr. Lewis says most of society reflects. They know they should live a certain way and sincerely try to do so but only after they have first ensured their own security and happiness. They believe in that higher power. Maybe even call him God or Jesus. These are Adams and Eves. They’ve experienced God in some way. But are divided in where they put their full trust. They give to their church or charities but only as leftovers. They stand up for the higher power as long as it doesn’t cost them much. They are drawn to wanting to fit in with the latest views on sexuality and morality while at the same time knowing the Truth of God’s Word. They call their faith “personal” and wouldn’t dream of sharing it. They “do the right thing” because they think they have to or else God might be angry. Or to gain favor with God. Their self-control still stems from their own will, but gets a nice dose of god-guilt on top when they fail to meet what they think God wants from them. A wobbly rock to be sure.
Many times, however we take it on ourselves to define what’s good for us, and we can be tempted to doubt God for disagreeing with us.”
Charles Stanley
Doesn’t that sound exactly like Adam and Eve? Their self-control lasted only as long as something sounded a bit better or reasonable. Satan didn’t erase God from their minds. No, he took God’s words and twisted them in such a way that fed their gift of self-will. I can only imagine the guilt and shame they must have felt as they packed up their fig leaves, a few bags of grain and fruit, and passed from the Garden gates. From that day forth they probably tried really hard to do the right thing yet knew they were weak and could easily backslide into self-gratification. It sounds like them, but does it also sound like you?
Before we look at the third man in Mr. Lewis’ essay, I have a task for you. Pastor Ortberg recommends taking this personal inventory to find out, with honesty, where we sit with God. Are we relying on a wobbly rock which either leads us to temporary self-control or a self-control done with a “I have to” attitude? This isn’t a confession to God, just inventory-taking. No guilt, no correction, just a self-examination. Be fearless and searching, remembering God loves you.
- Pride: Is ego ever on the throne in my life? Self-promotion, selfishness, sense of entitlement? Lack of being a servant?
- Anger: Where is there resentment in me? Where are the obsessive thoughts that want to strike out all the time? Have I gotten physically violent or just withdrawn
- Sexuality: Are there decisions I have made around my sexual behavior where I feel regret or guilt? Have I been unfaithful? Are there patterns of addiction, sexual pornography? Have I crossed lines in relationships? Have I been the victim of sexual assault or molestation?
- Envy: Do I ever compare myself to other people – appearance, career, family, bank account?
- Gluttony: Do I use food as a way to escape or isn’t good for my body? Or are there other appetites that would lead my body down the wrong path?
- Sloth: Not just a lack of activity but is there a failure to do what needs to be done? Do I ever procrastinate with things that have high value?
- Greed: Do I ever hoard? Am I gripped by a false sense of financial insecurity? Do I not manage finances well? Do I give the way God would want me to?
Remember, after you have completed this searching about where you lack in self-control or have placed your trust, if you are a follower of Jesus, God will lead you out of any guilt or shame. Turn to Him, for He is the God who restores.
Coming Up: To Be The 3rd Man
emboldened.net 