In The Beginning... Series

John 8:44b (NASB)

Folks here is a fact: A half truth is not the truth.

Do you know what you have when you have a half truth? You have a lie.

It reminds of the man that did not want to go in to work on day so he went to the freezer and took out a pound of hamburger. He started tossing the package up into the air and catching it. He then called work and told them that he could not go in to work that day because he had been throwing dinner all morning. Folks that is deception.

Satan is a liar. He will twist God’s word. He will twist scripture.

If you think that being a Christian makes you immune from deception – remember this warning from Jesus.

"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect.”

Mat 24:24 (NASV)

II. The Beginning of DISOBIDIENCE

They did exactly what they were told not to do.

“When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.”

Folks here are some facts about sin:

Sin Is Attractive.

Sin Is Pleasurable. "…for a season;" Heb 11:25

Sin Has Devastating Effects.

Sin is a cancer that destroys the soul of man. The Bible says:

“But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.” James 1:14-15 (NASB)

Imagine the regret – the heartbreak – the sorrow that Adam and Eve went through after they sinned against God. Eve would remember her fall from grace as she would give birth to children. Adam would remember his disobedience as he would till the ground and find weeds growing among the crops. The effect would last their life time and beyond. Every day as Adam tilled the soil he was reminded of his sin.

III. The Beginning of PUNISHMENT

A Minister tells the story of Jill – his 6-year-old daughter – who was “helping” him in the front yard of the parsonage. She chattered away about her Sunday school lesson on Adam and Eve. He thought he’d test her so he asked, “Did you know Adam and Eve sinned?” “Yep,” she replied. Her father asked, “What did God do to them as a punishment?” Her answer was immediate and matter-of-fact. Without even looking up she said, “He made them have kids.”

To the woman God said, "I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth. In pain you will bring forth children…” v. 16

To the man God said, “Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you will eat of it All the days of your life…” v. 17

Then God drove the both of them out of the garden – not to return again.

This seems like very harsh punishment. But the Bible says:

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” Gal 6:7 (NASB)