Falling Into Evil

Who would ever think that trees could cause so many problems?  But the Bible in the 2nd chapter of the 1st book tells us 2 trees affect EVERY individual’s life, from birth to grave.  Michael gives us a great look at one particular tree…

But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die. --Genesis 2:17

Many are surprised when they fall; they were doing so well, they just did not see it coming. There was nothing evil in their lives; in accordance with deliverance teaching, everything evil had been “dealt” with in their lives. How did they fall? Instead of looking for the place where evil began, they should go back and look at the place of good, where they decided that their flesh had improved so much that they did not think about abiding when they entered their house, went on vacation, arrived at work, or taught the Bible study.

What “good-looking” flesh was it with which they had gotten involved? Was it living to people instead of loving them, people pleasing, manipulating, reworking the portfolio, counting the savings, or lusting for the latest from the material world? Were they agreeing to pacify others while staying silent to avoid conflict? Did they avoid telling the truth? Once the gate to the flesh corral is open, not only do the dark horses go out, but those of every stripe. Those who begin to walk in the “good” deeds of the flesh will soon find themselves in evil deeds.

Each day resolve not simply to turn away from evil, but to turn away from the “good” arising from what can be done in the natural, to avoid all strength in the power of the self-life, and to turn to Jesus.

In over 30 years of pastoring, I have rarely encountered a Believer who wasn’t focused on this one tree…the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Surprisingly, the number thinking of one side of the tree basically equals the number thinking of the other side.

Almost never have I found any Believers whose focus was on that “other” tree…the Tree of Life.  All the while “flesh” and “self” battle it out in the Believer while every benefit of the Life of Christ goes unused.