The bible tells us there were lots of trees in the garden of Eden that Adam and Eve could enjoy. But He specifically pointed out the “Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil” and the “Tree of Life.”  In Genesis 2:16,17  God’s words to Adam were, “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die.”  We fast forward to chapter 3: and see the Serpent talking to Eve, “Indeed, has God really said, “You shall not eat from any tree of the garden?   You surely will not die!  For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  The rest is history.  They ate, they died spiritually and they suffered the consequences.  And ALL of it was passed down to the entire human race.

I am thankful that God knew beforehand that Adam and Eve would disobey Him.  He already had a solution in place.  The bible says Christ was slain before the foundation of the world. (Revelations 13:8) The death of Jesus Christ reconciled us back to God and brought our spirits back alive and joined us to Jesus.  That is such great news!

Sadly, there are times that I forget who I am and jump right back on the wrong tree.  Can you relate?  I completely forget who lives in me and I start doing things my old way which operated independently of God. It’s a wake up call when I start feeling frustrated and tired.   We really are no different than Adam and Eve.  Humans are forgetful!  Even though the flesh has been crucified and we are no longer IN THE FLESH but IN CHRIST, we can go back to the stinking thinking and making destructive choices.  It can be very subtle.  If only God created us with a buzzer that shocks us when this happens?  LOL

He actually did something better.  He joined us to the Holy Spirit.  He lives in us and wants to live through us.  When I behave in a way that is inconsistent with my true identity, I picture Him clearing his throat and tapping me on the shoulder.  He says, “Hey Sweetie, remember to continue to eat off the “Tree of Life.”  (which is Jesus) That other tree will cause you nothing but trouble!  I usually don’t even notice I started eating off the wrong tree until I started experiencing what that tree promised; death!

I’ve been thinking.  Could this be what is happening on social media with some of the religious debates?  There is nothing wrong with treasuring the purity of the gospel message and standing firm in it, however, we must pick and choose our battles!  I don’t know about you, but I am constantly growing and learning.  I receive new revelations about the things God’s word says often.  It truly is alive and active as Hebrews 4:12 states.  Haven’t you read a scripture you have read before and all of a sudden you see it in a different light?

When we start debating on certain topics could we be climbing onto the wrong tree?  The flesh reeks of the need to “be right.”  Religious flesh is very sneaky.  I know because I can sometimes easily go back to walking after “religious flesh”.  Thank God I was rescued from the flesh through my co-crucifixion with Christ.  But I am not exempt from the enemy tripping me up in my mind with those old thoughts.  I learned at a very young age that I could feel more “in control” if I could live by laws.  I could also feel “good about myself” when I got noticed for my religious efforts.  And I mistakenly believed I would be safe if I was in control.  I had no idea I was learning a system that would bring death/emptiness/frustration/defeat.  I was constantly on a treadmill of self- examination.  Did I do enough today?  Did I avoid enough bad things today?   There was no life in living that way.

When I learned my identity in Christ I began experiencing LIFE!  No more proving myself, grading myself, explaining myself, worrying about myself etc.  I must choose each day to eat off the tree of Life which represents Jesus!  This is where we receive instead of achieve and rest instead of striving.  This is where I begin seeing the fruit of the spirit instead of conflict. And this is where I experience intimacy with God.  And trust me, HE will bring loving correction when it is needed.

Are you feeling weary and frustrated? Or do you feel proud when you set someone straight?  Those are two sides of the same flesh coin.   Are your debates bringing LIFE?  Can we simply share our thoughts and then let it go.  God often has a specific time table and way that he reveals truth to His people.  And often it is not the same as our way and timing.  If the Holy Spirit that is IN YOU leads you to share, by all means share away.  But don’t jump over to the wrong tree in the midst of your sharing.  Remember God’s word says the world will know us by our love.