"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall." Proverbs 16:18
When it comes to pride, what is admissible? Is it ok to be proud of one's accomplishments? Or does God command that we avoid pride at all costs?
I may not have all the answers (and this is really how everyone should approach things). It's ok to have opinions, but be careful of arrogance.
Ironically I have been accused of arrogance for speaking about God's word with some people. Clearly they believe each person's truth is their own, and we are not accountable to anyone but ourselves. It is not arrogant to speak the truth written in God's word. I suppose if you don't believe in God, you may perceive it as arrogance. But, there is ample evidence in support of all of the Bible if one can look past his or her own preconceived objections.
The Book of Genesis has 4 great events in the first 11 chapters. These 11 chapters cover nearly 4000 years of human history. The first event is Creation in Genesis 1 and 2. Then comes the fall of man in Genesis 3 and 4. Noah's flood comes along in genesis 8 and 9. And the Tower of Babel in 10 and 11.
Genesis seems to be a hangup for many in the secular community out there today. I submit that it is based mostly on pride. We have covered before how "putting God on blast" to use the slang phrasing, is the ultimate act of arrogance. Would you walk into a court room and begin accusing the judge of wrongdoing? You'd find yourself in prison pretty quickly--or at least contempt of court (lawyers verify please...)
The point is that 3 of these 4 events were man deliberately rebelling against God. Let's break these events down a little. I feel the proverb for today is directly relevant to much of the pride associated with our opinions about Genesis.
Event 2: The Fall of Man- Satan tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit (likely not an Apple btw). She eats and their eyes are opened to their "nakedness.'' I heard it said recently by the Late Dr. J Vernon McGee, that it is likely Adam and Eve were not just absolutely naked. When Christ was transfigured after He rose, he had a glow about him. He submits then that perhaps this Heavenly glow was the covering for Adam and Eve and that after rebelling, it was removed and they realized their nakedness. Opinion, but not a bad one if you ask me.
Adam and Eve are submitted to judgment and the fallen nature of mankind has begun. Prideful thought number one in regards to this is that everything is an allegory and that Adam and Eve never existed. I submit to you that when the Bible is teaching in allegory, it is seen clearly in the text. Otherwise, a literal interpretation is the best method, as that is the most sensible way to read. You don't read a Harry Potter novel assuming everything in there that you can't explain must be symbolic. Likewise, the Bible is VERY clear when it is speaking in metaphor or allegory. On this same note, the creation account should be taken at face value as well.
Moving into the Flood account- Great event #3- The Bible says that EVERY thought of mankind was towards EVIL and they constantly thought only in a fleshly satisfaction mindset. All except Noah.
There has been ample evidence to suggest a universal flood around the time of Noah, and it is likely the reason that we have fossilized remains buried in the sedimentary layers. An instant drowning death would provide the necessary situation for fossilization. Based on this, it is likely there were in fact dinosaurs still alive during the time before the flood. Remember friends that pre-flood, all creatures were vegetarian. It wasn't until after the flood that God allowed meat as part of the diet. Another so-called contraction that people will point out in this account is how the Bible mentions 2 of every animal, but then also mentions 7 of every animal taken on the ark. This is simple to explain, as it is right there in the text when reading without preconceived arrogance. Noah was instructed to take 7 of every clean animal onto the ark, and 2 of every animal. This was so that post-flood, the clean animals could be offered as sacrifice, as God would require a clean animal for sacrifice, and Noah would be so inclined to offer sacrifice for being spared.
The final event of Genesis 1-11 is the Tower of Babel. One should not think that just because the flood wiped out all of sinful man, that there ceased to be sinful nature. Right after the flood we see one of Noah's sons already beginning to sin, and Noah as well by being drunk. This all leads to the point that mankind is fallen by nature and needs a redeemer/savior to reunited them with God. Don't mistake God's confusing of the languages as a harsh judgment either. Nowadays everyone wants one world everything. We all want to speak the same language and have peace on earth. Nimrod's buidling of the tower of babel was in direct defiance of God, and therefore the languages of the builders was confused. If we can accomplish all that we have accomplished with mixed languages, imagine what man could have done with the same language. Clearly, he would have chosen to be self sufficient and not turned to God, thereby keeping him in his sin with no hope for a savior. God's judgment on Babel is warranted because it allowed Him to choose the line through which He would provide a savior for ALL mankind.
My point today is that you cannot get hung up on details and arguments amongst other Christians or the secular world about things that are at times only speculation. If the Bible says it, then it is God's word, and as Jesus said, you're either for it or against it. Focus on the fact that God loves each of you so much that he sent His only Son to die for the sins of EVERYONE. Not just the Christians, EVERYONE. It is a free gift. How many of you receiving something for Christmas would turn around and say you don't want it? It's free to you isn't it? If someone wants to bless you and has your best interests at heart then why not accept? How much more then does God long for you to be with Him? You are His creation after all.
Do not let pride get in the way of God. Prideful arrogance is a mindset. I don't have all the answers, and neither do you. But God does. Isn't it time you start opening up to what He has to say for your life?
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