What Are We Thinking About?

In His Presence: 1 Chronicles 16:8

Why did God put a limitation on the tree in the Garden of Eden? Why do we have limitations at all? In order to enjoy freedom, there must be sufficient restriction so that we can maximize what freedom is. A baseball player isn’t free to play baseball if there are no foul lines. A football player is not free to play football if there are no sidelines. God placed the restriction in the Garden of Eden to give us the ability to choose. In that way, freedom is better understood.

Another reason why God put a restriction in the Garden of Eden was to remind man that he is a created being. Restrictions make it clear who is in charge. God wanted it to be clear that there is a major difference between created man and the Creator God. God is transcendent. He is infinite and omniscient. We are not.

Satan used the presence of these restrictions to trick Eve into focusing on the negative. The apostle Paul said: “I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3). Satan led her thinking away from the goodness of God to focus on the restrictions of God. In doing that, Eve lost sight of the freedom God had given her.

One Minute Please

Adam and Eve lived in a home they didn’t build and ate food they didn’t have to grow. They lived in a perfect environment that had only one restriction. Does your mind focus only on the restrictions in your life?

Source:  Sermon Notes, July 6, 2003.

Watch Online Videos of Dr. Tony Evans and The Urban Alternative at LightSource.com
and
Listen to Dr. Tony Evans Online Broadcasts at OnePlace.com.

Overcoming Emotional Strongholds

Weighed down by emotional strongholds, depression, anger, anxiety or others? In this new 5 CD compilation, Tony offers you a solution. You'll also get Tony's new book, Overcoming Addictive Behavior, as a thanks for your gift of any amount. You CAN embrace healing and find liberation. Request your CD series and brand new book with your gift of any amount.