THE FIRST WRONG TURN

 I am using this space to kick around some ideas and process them a bit, and see which ones stick. In that process I am more than willing to admit I could be wrong about absolutely anything that I write here.

A few days ago I wrote "All sin is birthed from a legitimate need that takes a wrong turn." Now, maybe the word "all" is too strong in this case. 

Or maybe it isn't. I'm still pondering.

At any rate, I was reminded recently of the story of the fall of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 and, lo and behold, there - in the account of the very first sin - is "a legitimate need that takes a wrong turn"! Actually, three legitimate needs.

Genesis 3:6 - "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."

Look at the three things the text says Eve was seeking when she bit into the fruit:

1) Food

2) A thing of beauty

3) Wisdom 

All three are good and legitimate needs or desires. However, it was the SERPENT who convinced Eve that these needs and desires could be filled with something from outside of God's will. 

And, after finding great success from the first attempt, to this day Satan has never found it necessary to alter his tactics.

I think all of our petty, day-to-day sins (complaints, gossip, self-preserving lies, cutting down people) are wrong turns taken by legitimate and important needs: to gain personal significance, to find safety, and to make an impact on this world. 

If only we could see that the significance, safety, and impact of a life surrendered to Christ, we would see the counterfeits offered by Satan pale in comparison...