The only knowledge they didn’t have that He was trying to protect them from was knowing...
The “I” mentality is what gets us in trouble. You know what I’m talking about. The “she didn’t talk to me; he did me wrong; no one loves me; the whole world owes me something,” mentality. The “I” mentality is what satan, our only enemy, uses to get access into our lives, family, marriages, country, etc. (Ephesians 6:12)
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
His tactics have not changed for thousands of years. His only weapon of warfare is his lies. He is the father of all lies. (John 8:44) The biggest lie he uses against us is the “you're taking advantage of me” lie. He knows if he can get us to turn our focus inward then he can stop us from moving forward and living a fruitful life. He did this in the garden with Eve. What lie did he tell Eve?
Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5
He lied to Eve. He got her questioning the validity and credibility of God’s word. He tricked Eve into believing that God was holding out on her and Adam in some way. God created the whole earth for their enjoyment. He gave them power and authority to govern the earth. He gave them all the animals to enjoy not to mention all of the thousands, if not millions of different trees to eat from. There was only one tree he told them not to eat from. Think about that. Out of all the wonderful blessings God gave Adam and Eve, the devil was able to turn their attention off of all the millions of gifts onto the one thing God told them was not theirs.
God was not withholding anything good from them. They were already like Him. He created them in His likeness and image. (Genesis 1:26) They already had knowledge of good. The only knowledge they didn’t have that He was trying to protect them from was knowing evil. They had no knowledge of evil at that time. All they had experienced up to the devil’s deception was only good from a good God. Satan uses the same tactic on humanity today. He knows if he can shift our focus off of all the good God has done for us and on the one thing we don’t have or is not ours than he can gain access and destroy our lives.
“For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” James 3:16
Notice James 3:16 says, “envy and self seeking is the open door to confusion and every evil work.” Don’t you think the thief knows this. If He gets us thinking selfishly, then he has access to bring in confusion and more evil into our lives. Selfishness is the root of all division. Selfishness produces jealousy, envy, anger, bitterness, insecurity, unforgiveness, and the list goes on. The “I” mentality is destroying our homes, families, relationships, and country. With this being said; there is hope. There is a remedy to this destructive perspective. The answer is love.
God is the giver of life. In Jesus there is life and life in abundance. (John 1:4) God gives life because God is love. (1 John 4:8) Love is unselfish at the core and is expressed through sacrificial giving. Love prefers others over self. Life is given and received through love. (Romans 5:8) God is our example to follow and learn from. He never stops giving good and perfect gifts. (James 1:17) His love for us has been made clear through the sacrificial gift of His son Jesus. He sacrificed His only son on the cross so we could be saved from our sins and from the wiles of Satan. (John 3:16)
We must humble ourselves and repent from a selfish lifestyle. We must ask God to reveal His unconditional love for us to us. We must ask Him to fill our hearts with His love so it can flow out to those around us. This is our hope. This is our remedy. This is our salvation from ourselves. This is abundant and eternal living. This is Jesus. You can’t give what you don’t have. You can’t escape the “I” mentality apart from receiving the love of God. Place your faith in Jesus today. Confess Him as Lord of your life and you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10) You will become a brand new creature of love. Change starts now. Change starts with you. Let’s move!