What the Bible says about Obedience as Servility
(From Forerunner Commentary)
Satan made a seemingly gentle suggestion against God's word and work, first by presenting them in a negative light. God had spoken to Adam and Eve, giving them His word. They had gathered much about the mind and personality of God because of what He said.
In addition, they could see with their own eyes a great deal about God's person, personality, and mind by what He had made. They were in a beautiful garden, which reflected the mind of God. They could see the beauty of His mind, and how His mind provided things beautiful and delightful to enjoy. They knew a great deal about the mind of God simply from what they were able to observe.
By making the challenge the way Satan did, he first made them mildly skeptical about God's love, asking them, Does God really love you?
Second, he made it seem as though obedience to God was, in reality, servility. He made them begin to feel as though God's way was restrictive; that He was holding back good things from them. This thought naturally led them to think much more could be obtained from life if they just followed their body's and mind's natural inclinations.
Third, he played his trump card: Not only would they not die, but they would be in control, free to determine right and wrong. In short, they would be equal to God!
Satan successfully brought them into a spirit of competition against God, resulting in the enmity described in Romans 8:7. He indirectly lied about God Himself, and he directly lied about the penalty, giving them misinformation about the reward.
He did tell them the truth, that their eyes would be opened and that they would not immediately die. Their eyes were opened, and they now looked at things through the twisted perspective, seeing evil in everything. From innocence, they became ashamed of their nakedness. The effect began immediately.
This is important because right thoughts precede right actions; right thoughts determine the release of proper emotions. Our thoughts express themselves even in our most casual relationships, in daily work, and most importantly, in our intimate relationships in our home and family. Most of all, they express themselves in our relationship with God. False beliefs about God and His purpose for man are far more destructive than alcohol and drugs. They confuse, divide, and bring on warfare.
Satan's lies, his counterfeits, and his devices are usually so subtle that only a trained mind can discern them. God teaches us to be able to see. He trains us to be able to spot the ploys, contrivances, and stratagems of our enemy so that we can overcome and defeat him.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Satan (Part 2)Related Topics: Accusations Against God | Competition Against God | Competitiveness | Enmity against God | God's Mind | God's Nature | Mind of God | Nakedness | Nakedness as Humilation and Shame | Obedience as Servility | Relationship with God | Satan's Deception | Satan's Lies | Satan's Stratagems | Skepticism | Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil
Though making a sacrifice or freewill offering always involves a cost, its physical value is only a token to represent that a price is being paid. While to be accepted, an offering must cost the offerer something, God is not truly interested in its monetary value.
However, He gives strict requirements regarding the unblemished quality of the gift or sacrifice (Leviticus 22:19; Deuteronomy 15:21; 17:1; Malachi 1:8, 14), as well as its source (Deuteronomy 23:18). A man could make an offering surpassing Solomon's in scope—22,000 bulls and 120,000 sheep (I Kings 8:62-64)—but if God's other requirements were not satisfied, it would signify nothing more than useless rivers of blood. The Bible shows that sacrifices and offerings miss the point entirely when not accompanied by faithfulness and obedience:
» Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. (I Samuel 15:22; emphasis ours throughout)
» To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21:3)
» The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination; how much more when he brings it with wicked intent! (Proverbs 21:27)
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expounds on the letter of His law and shows the spiritual intent, giving specific instructions to ensure the acceptability of any gifts we bring to Him. If we know a brother has a grievance or charge against us—right or wrong, valid or not—we are responsible for taking the first step toward reconciliation.
This requires courage, as it requires vulnerability and willingness to open ourselves to criticism. It requires first understanding our brother's perspective and carefully weighing the matter. It demands that we be prepared to be shown our failings and to accept responsibility for them. Even though reconciliation is not always immediately possible, our willingness to humble ourselves and make the effort is worth far more to God than any monetary token of devotion. Reconciliation cannot be forced, but when the timing and circumstances are right, He will give peace.
David C. Grabbe
An Acceptable GiftRelated Topics: An Acceptable Gift | Burnt Offering | Humility | Obedience as Servility | Reconciliation | Sacrifice, Unblemished | Whole Burnt Offering