Lessons Learned from the Garden of Eden – Part 2

Part 1 of this 3-part series started with a focus on one of the questions asked in the Garden of Eden: Did God really say?

The other note-worthy question that stuck with me is: Who told you that you were naked?

This was God’s response to Adam – see Genesis 3:6-11.

God knew they were naked – He created them that way. This means then that His question was not one of surprise, nor was it as a result of shock.

God is El Roi (all-knowing). He knew everything that had transpired earlier that day. This also means then that His question was not as a result of lack of intel.

Soooo … why ask a question to which He already knew the answer? Well … God is intentional and purposeful in all that He does. While there are most likely other reasons, I believe God asked this question so that I (and others) would learn the lessons hidden therein 🙂. #HiddenTreasures

The question ‘who told you that you were naked?’ focuses on the WHO behind what was said …

We see the same kinda question in Zechariah 4:7…

In essence, this great mountain before Zerubbabel said: ‘Impossible‘ and God’s response was ‘Who are you? … Who are you that what you say should matter?‘.

Lesson Learned #5: The WHO behind what was saiddetermines how much credence (if any) should be given to WHAT was said.

Situations have voices – they speak. Like the mountain referenced in Zechariah 4:7, every created thing has a voice – they speak (Psalm 19:1). In addition to what we say, what we see, feel, think, or perceive each have a voice – they speak.

In response to what you hear, before you put any stock in it, consider asking the question: WHO said it?. Alternatively, WHO is the underlying source?

Irrespective of the outlet – be it within (my thoughts, perspectives, feelings, etc.) or without (what people and/or situations say), I’m learning to ask the question: Who is it who speaks? Creator or Created?

It is true that God speaks to us through the created (people, animals, things, situations, etc.). The same is true of the enemy, which is why in response to whatever I hear, I’m learning to ask the question: What is the underlying source: Shakable or Unshakable?

Lesson Learned #6 :If God said it, EXALT it. Exalt God’s Word above ALL else.

In other words, exalt what God says above what your eyes see, what your feelings feel, what your ears hear, what your mind suggests, what others say, the situation before you, and whatever else is there. Exalt God’s Word above all else.

Guess what! God does the exact same! Psalm 138:2B tells us that God exalts His Word (What He says) above all else (including His Names). We see Him do it in Isaiah 59:19B

Who better to emulate than God! If God does it, it is (undoubtedly) prudent that we do the same – that we raise our Standard (Banner) against the enemy.

Putting this in context:

What has God told you? What has He said concerning you?

Lesson Learned #7 : If God did NOT say it, DISCARD it … it matters NOT.

Another way I’ve come to see the question ‘Who told you that you were naked?’ is:

What does it matter if I (Elohim – God your Creator) did not say it or tell you?

God knew they were naked but did not say it or tell them. If it mattered, if it was a need-to-know, God would have told them. I say this solely on the basis of Who God IS – Jehovah Jireh, our Provider, He gives what we need per time #OurDailyBread

He tells us what we need to know if/when we need to know it. In other words, if He does NOT say it or tell you, it is inconsequential. Discard it. #CTRL-ALT-Delete🙂

How do I discard it? I see the great mountain staring right back at me. I hear the roar of the raging tempest … the loud chatter of all these contrary things – things not in alignment with God’s Word to and concerning me. How do I discard them?

By NOT believing them actively nor passively.

What we hear can be likened to a planted seed (seemingly small yet impactful).

In believing it, we accept it as true and it takes root. In believing it, we tend to entertain (accommodate) it … we tend to focus on it (in thought, words, and/or action), we give credence to it … in other words, we exalt it.

Doing this creates a nurturing environment for the planted seed to bloom i.e. the right amount of sunlight, water, the whole nine! Consequently, the planted seed bears fruits!

The inverse is true, not believing what we hear prevents the planted seed from taking root, it creates a non-conducive environment for it, and ultimately causes the planted seed to wither or not bloom – to not find expression in our lives, to not have a say.

In believing, we give permission to whatever we believe (accept as true) to take form and find expressions in our lives – it becomes our experience, for good or bad. What do you accept as true? What do you allow or give permission to?

Who’s report will you believe? SeLaH

Lesson Learned #8: If God does NOT give it, we most definitely do NOT need it.

Going back to the truth that God is Jehovah Jireh, our Provider. He always provides for our every need. What this inherently means then is that IF He doesn’t give it, we don’t need it BECAUSE if we did, He most assuredly will give it.

By extension and in relation to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, in saying not to eat of it, God was implicitly saying we did/do NOT need it.

Retrospectively, I agree. Yeeeaaa 🙂… I’m partial to God and would agree with anything He says nonetheless. That said, putting my partiality partially aside and looking at what we’ve done with the knowledge of good and evil from the time of acquisition, it appears that most (if not all) of what we’ve done with it is misuse it, misappropriate it, or misapply it … the outcome of which has been fear, false and/or flawed judgment, self-righteousness … the list continues.

This then brings me to my first thoughtful response to the story of the Garden of Eden: Why did God put the tree of the knowledge of good and evil smack in the middle of the garden if He did not want us to eat of its fruits?

It could very well have been in the back corner somewhere – out of sight, out of mind … Clearly, God’s ways are not our ways.

As to why He put the tree where He put it, I most definitely don’t know and will not presume to know. That said, here’s what the HolySpirit helped me see:

These questions give us reasons to go to God and to inquire of Him.

They are conversation starters – case in point: Zechariah 4. Through these conversations (communion), God reveals His mysteries … He reveals Who He IS, His ways, His heart. #HiddenTreasures🥰

In going to God with these questions (with a seeking heart) we inherently believe Him – Hebrews 11:6. As a result of believing Him, His response to our questions – His Word to us (Who He IS) – takes root in our lives.

His presence makes for the perfect nurturing environment and so by way of active communion with God, the fruits that His presence brings forth (Galatians 5:22-23) bloom and multiply. The fragrance of His presence surrounds us and is released through us – a sweet smelling savor in deed!

His responses to our questions – His Words of Love – become our every moment’s bread. We eat our fill from the pleasures of His presence – Psalm 16:11, 36:8.

This is our design: to truly live and be sustained by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth – Matthew 4:4B.

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Abba, my Abba, thank You for Your words of love to me and concerning me – I believe you. Thank You for the continuous supply of Oil – Your Word and Your Spirit. I need them thus You give them – thank You Jehovah Jireh for providing for my every need.

Elohim, I am who and what You say. Word of God, reign, rule, and be fully expressed in my life. You birthed me – James 1:18, as such what You say goes. You are my identity, my reputation, my banner. You define me – in You I live, move, and have my being – Acts 17:21.

HolySpirit, Grace of God, You are God’s action in me. I am able to believe the Word of God solely because You enable me to. Help me to always follow in Your footstep – to raise my Banner and my Banner’s Banner always. Thank You for all that You do in me and for me. You are a preciousness like none other! 🥰