One of my former pastors used to teach that the Bible doesn’t teach a lot of different things. It teaches a few things, a lot of different ways. Those few things being how to love God, how to love yourself and how to love your neighbor. The Bible says that if we love a God, we’ll keep His commandments. (I John 5:3 NLT
http://bible.com/114/1jn.5.3.nlt) In line with that, the first words recorded of God speaking to man is a commandment. Not any flowery, loving words, but a commandment.
While it may not seem like it, this was an act of love. God being our Father is a Protector. This commandment was the same as a parent telling their child to stay away from the hot stove, so they don’t get burned. God says, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden— except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.” (Genesis 2:16-17 NLT http://bible.com/116/gen.2.16-17.nlt)
Trying to protect us, He gives this commandment. The devil comes in and deceives the woman into not only eating the fruit, but into thinking God was hiding something from her. Creating a wedge in her relationship with God. Making Adam and Eve think they wanted and were gaining something they didn’t already have. The serpent said, “You’ll be like God…” They were already made in the image of God and having access to Him could have knowledge of all things.
We see Satan again in Matthew 4 (Matthew 4:1-11 NLT http://bible.com/116/mat.4.1-11.nlt) try the same trick with Jesus Himself. Jesus combats Satan with scripture basically saying, “I don’t want what you have to offer.” That leads us into our throwback track this week. A song by Eshon Burgundy entitled “I Don’t Want You.” This is a track off of his first full length album entitled “Blood Rushing To My Head” released in 2012. This song makes the statement that we don’t want what the devil has to offer us. We’re focused on the kingdom of God and His righteousness. All that we need, God will provide. We don’t have to subject ourselves to the devil’s trickery to get what God has already freely given to us.
Then to further drive the point home, on the album, there is a hidden track on this song called “Addiction.” This song talks about making Christ our addiction. Finding our ultimate fulfillment in Him. Below is a link to to both tracks and to the music video for “I Don’t Want You.”
Check them out and let us know what you think. Until next time…
Peace and blessings.
