Chapter 17
The word “choice” is very closely associated with the word “option.” The act of choosing—the right, power or liberty to pick out by preference—from what is available.
This could become a little difficult if there were 100 choices to choose from; it becomes easier if there were two choices. But what if there was only one option to choose from?
Now, would a person still have a choice to choose—the power, right in one’s own authority or ability without dependence on another or others?
Many would say yes, they do have a choice to choose even if there was but one option. They do have the power, right, but there really isn’t any choice to choose. They have the power, the ability to accept or reject, what is available.
Satan Deceives Eve
Genesis 3:1; Now the serpent was more (cunning) subtil 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?
Satan disguises himself as a serpent. This is the very first time Eve has heard a serpent speak to her in the garden. Satan causes Eve to question what God had said.
Genesis 3:2; And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Genesis 2:16, 17; And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat. But of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou (Lit. dying you shall die) shalt surely die.
Genesis 3:3; 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.
Eve understood what God had said.
Genesis 3:4; And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die.
Satan deceived Eve into believing something, which was not the truth and caused her to be disobedient and sin against God.
Genesis 3:5; For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as (God) gods, knowing good and evil.
Adam and Eve Lost Everything
Because Adam and Eve sinned, they lost everything, which God had given them. They lost their home; a place of refuge; a place where they found peace and joy; and
a place they could speak face to face with their Creator. They lost being in the image of God—perfect, blameless, righteous and holy. They were now sinners with the knowledge of good and evil. They found themselves in the state of guilt and shame; their conscience told them what they did was wrong— unrighteous, unholy, ungodly. They were condemned to a life of sin, to live as sinners in rebellion and in enmity against God.
What Does This Have To Do With “The Power Of Choice?”
John 15:16; Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained (appointed) you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Ephesians 1:4; According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.
1 Peter 2:9; But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, (his own special people) a peculiar people; that ye should (proclaim) show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Prayer
You promised to pour out Your Spirit upon all flesh. Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, mankind has been given the right—the power, the authority—to its inheritance of everlasting life in the kingdom of heaven.
Help us by faith believe, trust and love You with all of our hearts, all of our minds and all of our souls and to love one another.
Help us to believe in Your works and not be deceived by Satan the devil who wants to destroy the children of God.
Help us to submit, without any resistance, to be submissive to the power of the Holy Spirit and Satan the devil will flee from us.
In the name of Jesus, Amen.
