As Gods Or Like God?

About two weeks into working under my pastor, I came to the conclusion that he was too overbearing and domineering. I was absolutely sure of that, and this caused a lot of issues in the church. A year later, as I looked back at all the things that I didn't like about him, I began to realize that he wasn't a bad person, though he had his faults; it was just that he had a bigger vision for the church. All those stressful changes that he had wanted were just his plan for a better-organized church. I had to change my perspective on the situation, but by then, a lot of mistakes had been made.

Have you had those moments when you look at something from one perspective, and feel that you are absolutely right? At that moment, you are seeing things from your own narrow-minded perspective. You don't stop to think; you just jump into action. Then, reality dawns and you begin to regret that action. Did you think it through? Did you pray?

For Adam and Eve, the narrow-minded action was eating the forbidden fruit. The serpent said, "For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:5 KJV) Even after having daily, personal fellowship with God in the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve did not understand that they had been created in the image of God — they were already like God. The whole of humanity is still suffering the consequences of their wrong response to a question that they should have asked themselves: "Do we want to be as gods or like God?"

Here is the text of Scripture that best explains the distinction between "God" and "gods":

Deuteronomy 32:17 – They sacrificed unto devils, not to God; to gods whom they knew not, to new gods that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. (KJV)

The serpent was crafty with his words. To this day, the temptation is presented to every human being: "Do you want to be as gods, determining for yourself what is right and wrong, good and evil, and not being accountable for your decisions to anyone but yourself?" We need to look at Adam and Eve and determine the consequences. The better alternative is to be like God, Who is pure, righteous, holy, and ever-faithful.

Are we like this: not thinking things through, making assumptions, jumping to conclusions, not seeking God's opinion before making a move, and blindfolding ourselves from seeing the truth of God's omnipotence and our need for Him in our lives? We need to change before we make a fatal choice.

Today, in times of confusion, we have the Bible. The case of Adam and Eve is proof that while we are making plans personally, we should crosscheck with our family and loved ones, while taking it to God in prayer. Let's not make decisions that will limit us for eternity without prayer!

Prayer: Dear Jesus, save us from thoughtlessness. Help us always to come first to You before taking any decision. Amen.

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