Series: Broken 
Message: Potential 
Preacher: David Smith
Daily Walk: David Smith

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 78:1-8.

Read: Genesis 3 (Message). Note 1-3 insights or questions that arise from the paraphrase. 

Reflect: When conversing with Eve, Satan wasn’t only misrepresenting God but sin itself. As he convinces Eve to take a bite of the fruit, he lies about the negative consequence (“you will not certainly die”) and about the supposed positive effects (“your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil”). The serpent argues that going against God’s commands is not only without negative implications but is actually empowering. Kurt Strassner, in his commentary Opening Up Genesis, says it this way: 

He was convincing Eve that sin would actually enable liberation and self-actualization. . . . Adam and Eve were promised liberation, but instead they received shame. (pg. 34)

Over and over again, the themes in Genesis 3 are reflective of issues we continue to wrestle with today. How many times do we find ourselves questioning what God has asked us to do? How many times do we find ourselves rationalizing sin, pondering if we are being inhibited by taking God’s word too literally? Sure, there are lines that we are not willing to cross—black and white areas such as murder and stealing. But are we willing to follow God’s instruction in all areas of life? Are we willing to listen to God when we struggle with lust or envy or anger? The truth is that when we let these areas grow in our lives, far from becoming empowered, we actually become enslaved. This is what Paul addresses in Romans 6:6-7;18:

We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin…and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

True freedom is found only in Christ.

Recalibrate: ​ 

1. What are some areas in your life in which you have been rationalizing your choices? 
2. What how do you reconcile the idea of freedom with becoming a “slave to righteousness”?  

Respond:  Pray for a contrite heart.

Research: The greek work Paul uses for slave is doulos. How else and where else do you see this word used by Paul?