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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: FRUIT (05/26/22)
It seems as if we are attracted to the forbidden. The words “you shall not“ seem to hold some mystical spell that razzle-dazzles us into doing just the opposite.

This mystical spell resulted in our world being plunged into utter chaos and confusion. Our father, Adam, was commanded, “you shall not” eat of the tree but he willingly ate of the forbidden fruit and became an accomplice to Eve’s disobedience. Eve was deceived by the slithering talking snake but Adam disobeyed knowingly and deliberately. But why tempt Eve instead of Adam? Was she perceived as easy, low-hanging fruit by the tempter?

"but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Genesis 2:17 ESV

They yielded to temptation but the snake did not deliver on his promises. He is a liar and the father of lies.

Adam and Eve were made in the image of God; they were perfect; they were spiritually alive and had everything they needed. Their choice of disobedience transformed them into the walking dead. They died spiritually that day but physical death was forthcoming.

All it took was eating one piece of fruit in disobedience. Our parents, who once freely communed with God, now knew good and evil. They were overcome with so much guilt and shame that they slithered into the bushes to hide when they heard God calling them. Everything changed. They quickly mastered the blame game.
 
Unfortunately, we are suffering the consequences of their failure. We were born sinners with dead spirits in need of life and a new heart. Fortunately, we don’t have to remain the way we were born.

Jesus came to earth to restore what was lost in Eden. He came to resurrect our dead spirits, to give us new hearts and to breach the brokenness in our relationship with Him. He came to set the prisoners free from the power of sin and to give us victory in His name. 

We must be aware and vigilant of the meandering snakes lurking about, whispering in our ears, and trying to entice us to pluck the fruit of “you shall not” with lies. He knows it’s in our nature to want what is prohibited so he thrives in forbidden territory.

About forbidden territory. Have you ever noticed a sign that said, “WET PAINT — DO NOT TOUCH” on a wall, park bench or sidewalk? The sign is usually surrounded by numerous fingerprints. You may have touched the paint too and left your fingerprint. If you didn’t, it probably crossed your mind. All it took was the command not to touch. The command became the catalyst to razzle-dazzle people to defy the rules.

Did you know that the law has this razzle-dazzle power as well? In fact, according to Scripture, the law gives sin its power (“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” 1 Corinthians15:56 ESV). Dangle a bunch of rules and people are quick to break them. Sin increases when we attempt to live under the law (“Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” Romans 5:20 ESV).

Even so, the law is good, it is perfect and holy. Its purpose is to show us that it is too perfect to be kept by imperfect people. It points us and our insufficiencies to our Kinsman-Redeemer, Jesus, to be rescued from the consequences of breaking it - death.

When we choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He will resurrect our dead spirit and produce in us the fruit of His Spirit. We will regurgitate the distasteful and deadly fruit of hatred, jealousy, fear, insecurity, shame and guilt and feast on the luscious living fruit of love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance… (Galatians 5:22 KJV)

So, exhale and thrive in His presence. Accept His gifts of life and liberty. Don’t be low-hanging fruit for evil and bad choices.

“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” Matthew 7:20 NLT

"Let us choose what is right; let us know among ourselves what is good." Job 34:4 ESV
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
06/03/22
You did a nice job of presenting an interesting article with some great Scripture connections. The opening paragraph intrigued me and pulled me in right away. One thing I might suggest is perhaps some out-of-the-box take on the story. I liked the idea you presented in the opening and could see you expanding even more on that concept. You have a clear message and you did a fine job of writing on topic.
Avigail David
06/03/22
The first man and woman chose first from the tree of fruit of knowledge over the tree of fruit of Life. Before they could repent, pick, eat the fruit from the Tree of Life and live for ever, they were banished from the Garden. Genesis 3:22-24.

Thank you for the concept of the "forbidden fruit" you have put forth in your challenge entry.

Good job.
Marlene MCPherson
06/06/22
A good take on the topic