Ministerial Ethics #2: The First Rebellion Against Biblical Authority

If you are new to this course, you will want to read and respond to the previous post in our archives to complete the class. Please place your questions and reponses in the comment portion at the end of this post.With God's Word comes a challenge. Each time we read it, hear it, or comprehend it we must choose to either obey or disobey His Word. It has been this way since the beginning.

READ: Genesis 1:26-31 & 2:15-17.

As God spoke, a command was issued. His Word is never an option; there is never a maybe. His Word carries His kingly authority and His power supports each command. In these scriptures, mankind was given a command to have dominion (kingdom rule) over every living thing; to replenish and multiply and subdue. With the command came the authority to fulfill it. The moment the Word was given, man had the ability to rule and reign. Man had the ability, the promise, and the support of heaven to obey.

I am sure that Adam and Eve fully intended to obey their Creator. They had never known disobedience. They had no reason to doubt His Word. Until the voice in the garden contradicted the Word of God, they had no real opportunity to choose to obey. With the challenge of God's character and Word came the test of man's obedience. It is not enough to say we believe; we must live what we believe.

READ: Genesis 3:1-24

When Adam and Eve were faced with an opportunity to choose, they decided to disobey God. There's was not an angry rebellion. They had never been hurt by God. No one forced them to disobey. They simply chose to obey the lies of a serpent who had given them nothing, rejecting the truth of a God Who had given them everything. Their disobedience manifested in three ways:

1) They acted contrary to God's command, eating the forbidden fruit.
2) They did not exercise (use) the authority that had been given to them.
3) They did not subdue the enemy, but rather allowed him to subdue them.

The result was immediately painful. Man suddenly knew his nakedness. He felt shame. He feared God and hid from His Presence. He did take responsibility for his actions, but sought to blame his mistakes on others. This divided husband and wife and later divided son against son, resulting in a death. (Genesis 4:8) The easy things became difficult. The opportunity to reproduce others who would be obedient to God became impossible without God's Divine intervention.

READ: Genesis 3:14-17

When man rebelled, God immediately implemented a plan for his redemption. In this plan, He announced the coming of the Savior and introduced a new kingdom order. This order carried the following characteristics:

1) Man would be at enmity (an enemy; hatred; in hostility with; on opposite sides; in opposition to) the serpent. In this God made it absolutely clear that never again was man to entertain conversation/communication with the enemy. Whenever man heard words that contradicted God's commands, he was to set himself firmly against the voice.

2) The Seed of Man would one day crush the head (chief part; turning) of the serpent. God declared the enemy's doom. Despite his efforts, the Seed of Man would one day crush all powers and principalities of darkness. This was the promise.

3) The woman would forever after seek the counsel of her husband. She would no longer operate with an independent spirit. Her disobedience was the result of entertaining conversation with one who contradicted God's Word. She lingered, looked, and eventually ate. She sought no counsel and asked no questions. God established a new order in which she would still have the inclination to lead and act independantly, but would now submit to the counsel and direction of another. This was not meant to be a punishment, but rather a protection for her. God took no delight in Eve's fall. He loved her!

4) The husband would forever after lead his bride. Adam's sin was found in his silence. When he saw his wife eat, he remained silent. When he heard the enemy's lies, he spoke not a word. He exercise no authority, though he had all authority over the enemy. He could have commanded the enemy to die, leave, or be silent - but instead he silently bowed to the serpent's deception. Adam abdicated his God-given authority and demonstrated no leadership. In the new order, he would be required to speak up and direct his family in the ways of God. Silence would not be an option.

Earlier in the study, we realized that rebellion has many faces. It is not always angry, or a reaction to being wounded or wronged by another. Rebellion need not be loud or violent. It can be quiet, sweet, and very appealing. Yet the truth is that the kindest peron can still be considered rebellious if they choose to act independantly or in opposition to God's Word. The look of rebellion does not change the results or the sin.

In reflection, do you now see areas of rebellion in your life?

What must change for you to walk in greater obedience to God?

Take a moment to repent for all past rebellion and ask God to change your heart. He will do it!