Christian Living

THE SNAKE IN THE APPLE TREE

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
05/26/20
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PROLOGUE

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” (I Corinthians 10:13)

How does an individual overcome temptation? How does a country or even the world overcome temptation? All in the same manner, you resist it. In other words, the best way to deal with temptation is to not deal with it. If you keep yourself away from temptation, there’s less chance of being tempted. (I John 3:4)

As this blog infers, with mankind’s original sin came Satan’s rule of unseen power. America is now at war, a spiritual one. The believer’s enemies are the demonic host of Satan, always assembled for mortal combat. (Ephesians 6:12)     

With this unseen war comes its by-product of America’s eventual emptiness, disheartenment, frustration, disappointment, smashed dreams, unmet longings and tearful sadness. Thus, we find today's America.   

With the results of this inherited war comes subsequent sin from which any unforeseen and unexpected crisis will reap tragic results. This is where we find ourselves.

Enter this Scripture-based blog entitled “The Snake In The Apple Tree”

(Please read the highlighted Scriptures as you move through this blog)

Exactly why or how it happened to me of all people, is beyond my imagination, an old semi-retired, worn out Bible seminary professor.

I was sitting there completely relaxed in my old “Frazer Dad’s” well-worn green recliner held together by duct tape, sipping my sweet tea and eating one of the wife’s famous chocolate chip cookies and leisurely scanning through the television channels, when the sound of the television began to fade out, and my room disappeared into a vision. This was a vision unlike any visions or dreams of the past. It was rather frightening at first.

It made no sense to me. I simply couldn’t explain it. The scene had nothing to do with any of my Bible seminary’s current classroom projects. I found myself in the midst of a big garden paradise labeled Garden of Deception. Not only that, I overheard what seemed like a loudspeaker announcement. I listened attentively to the long narrative, and the voice quickly brought on my vision.

I saw a new snake in the garden. He was in the midst of this Garden of Deception, snuggly wrapped around a big apple tree labeled Doom and Gloom, rearing his ugly head and tasting the air with his forked tongue. Many people of all ages and descriptions, although fully clothed, seem to be clinging to the Doom and Gloom tree for dear life. They seemed to be all ears listening intensely to the persuasive snake.

Moving in closer, I found myself eavesdropping closely to this snake's unique ability of speech.  “Has God not said?” was his opening remark, followed by an array of misleading, misquoted Scripture passages, and cunningly smiling as he proceeded to bite into a big, red, luscious apple. When the snake finished his forked tongue speech, they all plucked apples and quickly began eating.

“Just who is this snake, where did he come from, and what exactly is his agenda?” I wondered.

Could he be from a local newspaper, a radio station, a television outlet? Maybe a neighborhood association or even, God forbid, a well-known political affiliation or organized religion, because after all, he did quote Scripture.

And just who were all those people up in that tree, hanging on this snake's every word? They all look just like any other plain, ole red-blooded Americans.

My thought process, as if by divine direction, seemed to go into overdrive, as I began to speak out loudly and defensively, mimicking an Old Time Religion preacher. If only I had a Bible in my hand to thump.

“I don’t mean to be a conspirator," I began. "Nor will I climb that big tree of doom and gloom and sink my teeth into some of that old snake's appetizing doom and gloom fruit.” 

“I do plan to take my stand by speaking out for America," I went on. "I'm speaking out for our God-given freedoms, the biblical dictates on which we were established, and our Christian values. I will not be persuaded by this progressive, socialist lifestyle.” 

Without any further discourse, I was suddenly awake. Was this a dream, a vision, or simply my subconscious mind working overtime? Whatever the cause, it really caught my attention. I was instantly stimulated by this unknown scalawag snake and his rogue agenda. Thank God, I awoke in time.

Pulling the covers from off my head, I found myself being shaking by the wife’s strong hand.

“Wake up, wake up dear. What was that mumbling all about? Something like “Not here, not in America.”  It was as if you had suddenly gone to preaching.”

 “Don’t worry, Dear," I responded quickly as I dressed.  “I must hurry so I don't miss the rally, for he will be speaking. He needs our conservative support.”

“Yes, I do know, Dear, I’ll be praying for you all," she replied. "Be sure to give him my best, if you happen to be lucky enough to get to speak to him.” 

And with that, grabbing up my Make America Great Again sign, I was on my way.

What a dream or vision, that was! I’ll never forget it as long as I live. I know He will pull us through this, our Father God that is. It’s like the old cliché, “This too will pass.” On to the rally, Amen!

EPILOGUE 

I trust you enjoyed this little fictious blog account of today’s American political scene. 

In this blog, can you depict a relationship between the results of the original sinful encounter in the Garden of Eden, with this the ever-present, wicked, deceiving snake Satan, and today’s America?

In the original creation event (Genesis 3:1-7) our Creator God created mankind with a free will to choose right from wrong, good from evil. And as with us (Romans 6:23) our first parents were given a stern warning. (Genesis 2:16-17)

 However, evil seemed to win out.  What about today’s America? Is there a similar noticeable parallel? If so, which way are we leaning?

According to Dr. Charles Ryrie, “The three areas of Evil’s self-deception are in the same categories of temptation as those found in (I John 2:16). Eve was deceived; Adam ate knowingly (I Timothy 2:14). Their sin was more than merely eating forbidden fruit; it was disobeying the revealed word of God, believing the lie of Satan, and placing their own wills above God’s. Sin with all its dreadful consequences now entered the human race and the world in general. (Romans 5:12)”

Can American now be compared to the after-effects of our parent’s original sin? Can we compare the crafty manner of this beautiful snake creature to today’s American culture?  Will America’s populace ever find a keen sense of guilt as a result of its ungodly lifestyle? (Genesis 3:7) And as in the original Garden of Eden, have we Americans hid ourselves from God, due to our personal and national sins? (Genesis 3:8)  

Maybe so. It’s obvious that the effects of this sinful inheritance are progressively active in today’s America’s culture.  So, what’s the answer? It’s simple:

^" If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (II Chronicles 7:14)

You see, it’s all up to us, His people to take the lead at home, at work, and at play. And yes, even in politics and in the church. We are to go (Matthew 28:19-20) and be His witnesses (Acts 1:8) in making known the true gospel (I Corinthians 15: 3-4) to all. (Romans 3:23) Amen!

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