Non-Essential Versus the Essential

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)
 
God has created us in His image. Part of being made in God’s image is seeking His path and righteousness. When we come to the point of seeking the path of God, which is essential to our living out a life He has predestined us to follow, we need to be aware that Satan, God’s enemy, comes to kill, steal, and destroy God’s very plan for our lives. God’s plan includes a path of truth, rest, and an eternal reward that leads to Heaven. Satan’s plan, however, is a long-term path that leads to destruction, death, and eternal separation from God in Hell. No one considers both options and chooses Satan! So how does Satan interfere, distort, or divert us from God’s plan for our lives? He never shows us the outcome of sin or disobedience first. Satan will never come to you with the appearance of a predator—he comes as a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

 
Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Matthew 7:15)
 

Satan is the great deceiver. He first creates doubt about God’s Word. Then, he comes with a promise of giving us what our flesh already wants.

In the garden, Satan asked Eve, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” Then he said, “You will not surely die.  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.” (Genesis 3:4-5)
 
Who wouldn’t want something tasty and something that gives us wisdom?! Why did Satan have to create doubt first and then offer something attractive second? Consider this. If Satan had offered the ‘apple’ first without creating doubt about God’s Word, then Eve would have immediately said, “Yeah, the apple is attractive, and yes, I’d like wisdom, but God said I will die.” So Satan constantly sows seeds of doubt in our minds. Even when we sense that things might not end well, the moment doubt creeps in about God’s Word, we begin to tread a dangerous path toward destruction. Ultimately, all sin leads to death.

 
But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.    James 1:15
 
The ‘apple’ to Eve may have represented a need for food or something sweet to eat, but it wasn’t essential. She could have said no. Yet, she gave in to a desire her flesh wanted. Like Eve, we as men have a fleshly side that Satan will entice with something sweet. Satan never shows up with a picture of destruction. He only shows up with a picture of need or want. “You need this!” or “You want this!” “You deserve this!” But first, Satan has to create doubt: “Did God really say?”
 
Jesus came to give us the gift of life (The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10), while Satan brings us the curse of death (For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23). A man of God allows God to direct his steps (In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9), while one directed by his flesh will end in death and eternal separation from God.
 
So, the next time something attractive is placed in front of you—fame, money, a woman, or friends—ask yourself, will this compromise the will of God in my life? If it does, then it’s not essential. The only thing that is essential is our relationship with the Lord!Have a great weekend.

Stephen L. Thomas