Why does humanity
feel the need to put a label on every single thing? Perhaps it’s because there’s been a blending of original intent and original sin? There is something to be said about the act of creation and the naming of it. It all starts with a thought, and ends with an emotion; through the intent of the heart, and the evaluation of it. Let me explain. Humanity was created with the intent to glorify God. And in Genesis 2, and in Genesis 1, God evaluated us and said that we were good; and Genesis 1:26 describes our image as the likeness of God. God said, “Let us make humans in our image, after our likeness” - This surely implies that God himself is made up of more than one. And by being in His Word, we actually learn that God is three persons in One - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. So it doesn’t surprise me that the Word says, we, too, are three in one- Body, Soul and Spirit. This can be found in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 when Paul says, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” And let’s not forget Hebrews 4:12, where the writer declares, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Man, those words alone should speak loudly to us, it is obvious the author learned them from God’s Holy Spirit. Scripture also shows us that man alone was not good. So God created woman, from Adam’s rib, to be a helper to Him. And when Adam woke up the Lord brought the woman to him, and this is what he said, “At last!” “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called “woman,” because she was taken from ‘man.’” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” Genesis 2:22-24 For this reason, the Lord created two sexes, “In the image of God, God created them, male and female," perfectly fit. But it’s noteworthy to see, that before God made woman, He displayed all of the animals to Adam to see what He would call them, and He saw that not one of them was a good fit for him. That is when He caused Adam to fall into a deep sleep and took his rib from him. Can’t you see, God’s original intent was to bless us, and embedded in the blessing was our purpose. He said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.” God did all of this! He created us, defined us and blessed us! And when He was done making all this, He gave Adam one piece of advice, that would save us from death! "But the Lord God warned him, You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden- except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die.”” Genesis 2:15-17 God looked over all he had made, and He saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.” And the 7th Day was dedicated to rest. God did all of this! He thought it. He spoke it. He named it. He evaluated it. He corrected it. He blessed it. He warned it. And He rested in it. He did all of this, and still the humans decided to not trust Him. After they ate from the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, then God had no choice but to remove them from His presence - because how can evil exist inside of pure love? Humanity had ingested the fruit of knowledge, the fruit of good and evil. And God knew they did this without Adam and Eve even speaking a word. Everything was known through their actions, which happened because of their shame reaction. Adam and Eve had been naked the whole time that they had walked with God. But when evil entered their minds shame became the emotion attached to their physical condition. It is so important to pay attention to this, because humanity puts a label on everything. And if we aren’t careful our knowledge will defy us, because not everything we think is true. In Genesis 3, we see how humans took the bait and fell into the trap of Satanic deceit. I encourage you to go and read this, if you have not already. “You won’t die!” the serpent replied. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.” "The woman was convinced, the serpent was telling the truth. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too. At that moment their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness.” Genesis 3:4-7 Don't you see, how Eve fell into deceit? She exchanged the truth for a lie, that Satan fed her. Shame is not always a bad thing. Shame often helps us to see that we have disobeyed God by not trusting Him. And guilt too, it can also be good, when it stops you from doing something you shouldn’t. These are the emotions attached to the condition of sin, but the problem is... humanity has re-defined them. It's another twisting of the truth of God! We sometimes believe that people have the ability to drive us to shame, but the truth is God accepts us ALL of the time, when we turn to Him. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to cover our sin with His blood. He is the river of living water, that washes away all of our sin; And when we rest in Him, His Spirit guides us to draw in closer to our Father, and through correction, He brings our thoughts, feelings and behaviors back into alignment with Him. We need to remember that labels are our way of having dominion and making sense of things. It’s not the label that is bad, it’s the intent of the heart behind it. So I ask you this, What is the intent of your heart behind the thought and feeling that you have? Is it meant for bad, from an evil intent; or is meant for good, from a heart of love? Remember, God is good. If you feel shame, then it's time to expose yourself to Him. He created you. He made you. He died for you. He knows you are not perfect. Nobody is. His sole desire is for you to abide in Him. Do not let a shame reaction, keep you away from Him. Do not run and hide from Him. Instead, draw closer to Him. He will teach you who you really are, not according to your flesh, and not according to your sin intent. Listen and believe, that He loves you just as you are. Do not change from the outside in. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Instead of running away from shame, draw in closer and renew your mind. Instead of holding onto guilt, give it to Jesus and let His blood cover it. Freedom comes when you walk away from slavery. Freedom comes when you let go of your anxiety. Freedom comes when you trust God. Freedom comes when you believe who He says you are.
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