"Deceptions of Discontent"
Satan tempted Eve (and indirectly, Adam) to desire that which she could not have rather than to be grateful for that which she did have.
"Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden. But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die. 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. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat" (Genesis 3:1-6).
The devil continues to ply his deceptions of discontent on the human race until the present hour. He tempts us to forego gratitude for God's blessing by enticing us with the grating sense that we don't and can't have that which would make us happy. Satan lies, but he does so with much skill in brewing poisonous concoctions that taste sweet on the tongue, but are bitter in the belly. "Rather than trust God, Eve, you and Adam need to be as gods." Nothing could have been further from the truth, but the tree of knowledge of good and evil bore appeal to Eve's senses despite its deadly danger to her spirit.
The protection from such deception involves thankful acknowledgement of the undeserved and freely given blessings bestowed on us by the Heavenly Father who perfectly knows what we need, and just as importantly, what we don't need. The Apostle Paul greatly illuminates us in this vital matter. "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (I Timothy 6:6). Devotion to our Lord and gratitude for His gifts enables us to overcome the temptation to pine away for baubles the devil dangles in front of us that may appear as strands of pearls, but which are actually nooses of peril. Thanksgiving, consistently and increasingly offered for God's gracious provision, fills our hearts with the awareness of grace that keeps us from longing for fruits that promise delight, but which poison with death.
"I have learned in whatsoever state I am in therewith to be content."
(Philippians 4:11)
"In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
(I Thessalonians 5:18)
Weekly Memory Verse
God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father.
(Galatians 4:6)
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