When the Wheels Come Off

One Year Bible
Old Testament passage for Tuesday, January 2, 2013: Genesis 3:1-4:26

⁶ So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings. Genesis 3:6-7 (NKJV)

Sometimes things can start out so good and end up so bad.  Whether it be a project or a plan, a resolution or a relationship, things can often go in directions we never wanted.  It can be that way with a marriage.  We can start with a honeymoon and end with hatred.  How did it go so wrong if it started so right?  It can be that way with that newborn child that is so sweet and perfect.  Then they grow to be teenagers and adults, and can bring such pain and heartache to those around them.  How did it go so wrong if it started out so right?

God's plans are always perfect.  We find this in creation when repeatedly God said, "It is good" (Genesis 1:12, 18, 21, 25. 31).  This perfect creation then experienced a tragic fall.  We read about it in Genesis chapter 3.  There was a marital breakdown, the serpent got his foot in the door, lies started flying, bad decisions were made, and then the whole world changed.  In a moment of time, the wonderful can turn into the woeful -- the wheels come off!

But, it doesn't have to be that way.  We can live a life as God has planned.  Jesus came to CRUSH the head of the serpent that seduces us to failure (Gen. 3:15).  He can teach us to CRUSH Satan's head under OUR FEET (Rom. 16:20).  Jesus through His life, His death, and His resurrection overcame the cycle of sin and death that so characterizes much of human existence.  He can now lead us in His triumph (II Co. 2:14). 

Eve fell by listening to the devil's lies.  She forgot what God really had said.  In fact, Satan questioned God's Word and she misquoted it. At the root of all sin is a LIE.  If we will remain in God's truth, we can do as Jesus did in His own encounter with Satan in Matt. 4.  Jesus continually said, "It is written...It is written."

The Word of God believed and released in your life is the powerful sword of the Spirit that can overcome all Satan's attacks.  The quality of our lives is built on the quality of our beliefs.  If you believe a lie, you will always fail.  If you believe the truth, it will always set you free.