Sunday Stillness – If it looks good is it good for you?

Sunday Stillness – If it looks good is it good for you?

If-it-looks-good-is-it-good-for-you

Lately I have started reading Genesis. I read and read. When I see something that catches my attention I stop, and using my SIMPLE Bible Study Method, I work through the verse.

I read Genesis 3:5-6. The serpent tells Eve.

For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.

Tempting isn’t it? Would you have been tempted? I think I would have.

We read her thoughts:

When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. (My emphasis)

Before the serpent said this – she didn’t see him as evil. She only saw good. All was good in Eden. All animals ate plants. And this apple was pleasing to the eye. And she saw more than she needed. She saw it as desirable for gaining wisdom. Oh my do we see things that are desirable for getting better, being better.

In my Bible “gaining wisdom” is in italics. I am not sure why but it got my attention. We think learning is a good thing. Is that true?

I read 1 John 2:16.

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.

So the desirableness of what seems good does not come from God – but from Satan.

I think I need to think about this more.

What do I do that seems good but really isn’t of God?

More time is needed for me to figure this out. I would love to hear your thoughts.

Tweetable:

What do I do that seems good but really isn’t of God? (click to tweet)

 

Today is Sunday Stillness – take time to relax in God’s presence.

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Janis is the author of the award winning children’s book, Tadeo Turtle, published by Word Alive Press. Available in Kindle Format, in bookstores, online and from her website. Curriculum available upon request. Janis also is a contributor to Hope Stream Radio. Join her on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

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18 comments

  1. I think this is a common tactic of Satan, who tries to get us involved in so many good things that end up being bad because we are not doing what is “best” or understanding our limitations. We get burned-out and that has a ripple effect like a stack of dominoes–defeating and discouraging us in all sorts of areas of our lives. Thanks for this thought-provoking insight from your reading, Janis! Always a pleasure to visit and I’m grateful for you linkup as well!

    1. Beth,
      Yes – I love Satan’s letter. Have you read it? It talks about all the good things we do – having fun, keeping busy but how God is not glorified in all of them. We really need to think carefully before spreading ourselves too thinly. I think I am on that slippery slope at the moment.
      Blessings,
      Janis

  2. Hi Janis! Great question….. I learned many hard lessons that looked good for me that wasn’t of God. Therefore if it not of GOD and the glory of HIS kingdom it not for me. Everyday I strive to focus on the our FATHER. Its when we take our eyes off of HIM we fail.

    1. Naomi
      I have learned the hard way too. Finding out all those good things were not where God wanted me – that is difficult. Still working on this.
      Blessings,
      Janis

  3. Great post, Janis! I think this gives us all something to think about. I am now pondering, “What am I doing that is good, but may not necessarily be GOD?”. Thank you for sharing this! Infinite blessings to you, Love! 🙂

      1. Janis, you are not alone. I have felt that way many times. Thankful that we serve THE GOD WHO sustains us as we are handling HIS kingdom’s tasks. 🙂

  4. knowledge and wisdom are not the same thing. You can know something yet have no wisdom regarding it. To have wisdom is to have discernment. Just because you can say something, or do something, doesn’t mean you should. A part of having wisdom is understanding when to move forward, when to take action and when to wait. In Genesis, Eve had neither wisdom nor knowledge. Neither did Adam. I think that is why the bible tells us wisdom is so important. Over and over we are told to get wisdom. Wisdom is listening and searching for knowledge even when we don’t understand. It is recognizing when we are being stiff-necked, stubborn, and ignorant, and wisdom is hearing and responding to correction in ourselves. Wisdom and love are pretty much what everything is all about.

    1. Hi,
      Yes that is true. And we get our wisdom from Jesus. Without the Holy Spirit we could be filled with knowledge but not be wise. Listening to the Lord helps keep us on track and not make those wrong choices.
      Blessings,
      Janis

  5. Janis, I think you’re onto something here, especially in this world, in this now, especially for our kids. Way too much information is available at the touch of our fingers, at the click of a remote, in pictures, videos, YouTube, without any filters. Having said this, I hope I’m not misunderstood. I don’t want to go back to the Dark Ages – and I’m not a huge fan of censoring. I think, though, that we need to consider the consequences of this digital age. I love how you hooked John 2:16 to Genesis. If we don’t recognize the source…. That’s the filter we need – God’s wisdom.

    1. Janet,
      It is much harder for parents today to funnel their children into appropriate activities – not too many, but enough. Recognizing God in our decisions has to be the first and foremost thing we do.
      Blessings,
      Janis

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