Curse or Cure

My own testimony has been about recognizing and realizing my true identity.My true identity as a child of God has been a profound and painful journey. A journey I would never take for granted again but a journey the Holy Spirit has helped me to understand. I believe the attack on the children and family is a successful strategy the enemy uses to divide and conquer with less work. If you taint the blueprint, the DNA, the structure it is very hard to build a sturdy foundation. Many things will collapse and slide through the cracks in the foundation when you are not certain in your identity and the power you possess through the Word of God. One of the best stories to explain the depths of curses versus cures is the story of Adam and Eve. Our first parents had fallen out of obedience and Gods grace because of deception and lies. Lets look at Genesis 3 closely to see how manipulating and Insidious the devil is. In Genesis 3:1 it states "Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?"

Straight from the beginning his plan was well thought out and intentionally deceptive and evil. The devil chose the craftiest of all wild animals and he begins with a question. He wants you to open the door because he understands that is all it takes for him to win you over to darkness. He seems inquisitive and curious when he asks Eve Did God really say "you must not eat from any tree in the garden?" The devil uses a very common mindset shift called doubt which often leads us into imposter syndrome. Eve repeated the truth and the facts that she knew to be true but doubt had been sown with a friendly question. The devil then resumes to offer information that imposes curiosity and truth. The devil did not lie but he manipulated Eve to open a door that should have never been opened. In Genesis 3:5 The Devil imposes more curiosity and a strategy we call FOMO when he says " For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

Personally, I have felt the same way Eve has felt where you begin drinking because your friends are all at a party doing it and it seems fine. However, you may not realize the door opening through a friendly suggestion is actually the devil knowing that you have a generational bloodline curse around addiction and alcoholism with your earthly family. Now one decision to drink opens the door to many more doors being opened like idolatry, sexual immorality, foul language, fornication and fear. Just like Eve, we often let curiosity and doubt open doors that God has closed for our protection. As a parent, we do not want our children to suffer through things we have gone through. Most of us do not realize the extent or consequences disobedience may have. As a rebellious free spirit I definitely like to learn the hard way or by experience is what I prefer to say. Many of us refuse to take accountability for our bad decisions and poor leadership. Similar to the theories that arise about Eve leading Adam to sin which is completely false, patriarchal and immature. Lets look at the word of God to see where Adam was during this sin that caused a lifelong curse that we still suffer today. In Genesis 3:6 it says " When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."

I would like to point out that Adam was her husband and with her not in another foreign garden or far away. The location of the man while his wife sinning is important because its intentional and represents the power of marriage and community. They both were affected by a decision that one person in the partnership made. Isn't this a hard concept to embrace today and often a burden we try to avoid. At least, thats what I was thinking when I decide to never have kids or be married becasue of my own child hood trauma and witnessing divorce and how it effects a family. So when Adam and Eve realized they had to take accountability for their bad decision and disobedience they went into hiding shame and guilt. Literally, in Genesis 3:9-10 " But the Lord god called to the man, "Where are you?" I would like to point out that God called out to the man not the woman who men blame today committed the sin. God obviously knew what happened and expected Adam to face the consequences as he had failed to lead properly. The next verse Adam responds by saying " I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid." I find the answer fascinating because he never admits or apologizes but explains all of the feelings he is feeling.

I do believe the devil shifts our mindset into believing feelings are facts. When feelings are a response to our fleshly and earthly nature often a result of our temporary desires. God offers us eternity and unconditional love it doesn't get any better than that, to be honest. I always wonder what would have happened if Adam didn't try to hide from God in the Garden or if he had slapped the apple out of Eve's hand. Where would our fate be today and would we be enduring a bloodline curse still to this day because of sin and disobedience. God didn't even accuse or yell at him in anger he allowed Adam an opportunity to repent and admit their mistake instead by asking two questions. The questions he asked are found in Genesis 3:11 and guess what Adam did? I quote from Genesis 3:12 " The man said, "The woman you put here with me -- she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it." He literally acted a fool by blaming his wife when he was an accomplice the whole time and then had the nerve to blame God by saying the woman you put here. Like Eve was some random chic in the streets not a woman created by his own rib, a piece of him mind, body and soul, and in covenant through marriage.

So now that we couldn't tell the truth because of guilt and shame. The beautiful part of this story is God was still waiting in the garden for them and ready to fellowship and carryon in their relationship. We decide to hide and therefore we have to endure the curses that we have caused in our lives. God responded as a parent would with three consequences due to the rules being broken:

1. Genesis 3:14-15- God curses the serpent, kills the root instigator and takes all power away

2. Genesis 3:16- The woman was also cursed and sentenced to painful childbirth

3. Genesis 3:17-18- The husband the man cursed the ground, the entire earth

God still loves you and often uses these situations of discomfort and destabilization to bring you closer to God. I know that sounds unjust but as a parent we discipline our children because we love and care for them. God does the same in Hebrews 12:6 "because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” We must walk in obedience and keep the doors closed because we trust that God loves us and wants what is best for us. I love that Adam accepted his punishment and realized that his bad decision didn't affect him but cursed the earth in the process. However, I loved that Adam got back to his God given assignment by naming his wife Eve stated in Genesis 3:20 "The man called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living." The beauty of redemption is that we are instructed to repent and walk into the freedom that God has given us through the sacrifice of his son Jesus Christ.

Another verse hit me to confirm this message today as I have been struggling with condemnation. The verse that reminded me of his unconditional love today was John 3:17 which states "For God did not send His Son into the world to say it is guilty. He sent His Son so the world might be saved from the punishment of sin by Him." As a wellness coach and athlete we understand the physiology of hypotrophy which in exercising calls for the break down of muscle fibers to build them back up stronger. This is a very important concept when it comes to maturity in Christ and building capacity. God often breaks us to build us back up so that we understand the need for him, the love and respect required to walk into holiness. So when you fail or sin do not let the devil keep that open door against you. Slam the door and walk in your spiritual authority that Jesus Christ successfully gave us. Jesus Christ cured us from the curse of sin beginning with Adam and Eve. Give thanks everyday!

KISS XOXO (Keep it Simple & Sanctified)