Framed?

While walking yesterday I noticed a bumper sticker which read, “Eve Was Framed.” Was whoever placed that sticker on their car trying to say that Eve was innocent? To me it simply reflects the mentality of so many today who wish to excuse wrong actions by claiming they are actually “victims” themselves. When God asked Eve about what she had done she responded that the serpent had deceived her and so she ate. ( Genesis 3:13) Perhaps some would say, “Yes, she was a victim here.” However, what did she KNOW? What did she UNDERSTAND?

When the serpent tried to place some doubts in her mind by asking her what God had actually said, we read her response…

“(2) And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, (3) BUT GOD SAID, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’”” ( Genesis 3:2-3 ESV)

She KNEW what God had said. Such awareness should aid in protecting against deception. She revealed she KNEW and yet she still made a choice contrary to what God had said and suffered the consequences for her own disobedience. If she was a “victim” she was so by her own choice of going against that which she UNDERSTOOD. It is the same for us. Perhaps this is one of the ways in which we could be our own worst enemy.

In Paul’s letter to the church at Rome he stated…
“(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who BY THEIR UNRIGHTEOUSNESS SUPPRESS THE TRUTH. (19) For WHAT CAN BE KNOWN ABOUT GOD IS PLAIN TO THEM, because God has shown it to them. (20) For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. SO THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE. (21) For ALTHOUGH THEY KNEW GOD, THEY DID NOT HONOR HIM AS GOD or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” ( Romans 1:18-21 ESV)

Someone has stated that it was not what they didn’t understand in the Scriptures that bothered them, but what they DID UNDERSTAND. That means we need to come to grips with the truth we know by submitting to it and applying it to our lives. To KNOW and not do so leaves us without excuse. We are ACCOUNTABLE for the choices we make based on the KNOWLEDGE we possess. Are we at least living up to or holding true to what we have already attained? ( Philippians 3:16)

Our Lord allowed Himself to be the true “victim” on behalf of our sins. How are we showing appreciation to Him for having done that for us. Are we striving to live in a manner pleasing to Him? If we are going to be “framed” may it be that our life is being lived within the “framework” of God’s Will.

Have a great day GUARDED AND GUIDED BY GOD’S WILL!
Carl

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