There is so much controversy swirling around us these days. Everywhere a person turns, someone is posting or postulating on what they do or do not like about current events. I try to stay away from the arguments. For many reasons, but mostly because it steals my joy. At times, I wonder if I will be labeled a Pollyanna or an ostrich. Am I too optimistic? Am I blind to reality? Do I have my head in the sand?

In Genesis 3, there was an encounter between humans and the serpent. This is how it went:

The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” “Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied.  “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman.  “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

Genesis 3:1-5

From the beginning, Satan tempted us to be like God knowing good and evil.

Here is the question: was that a one and done event — now we know good and evil OR is it something I need to say “no” to even today? Is there knowledge I seek that God still doesn’t need or want me to know?

Dave and I went to dinner with friends last week and, of course, we talked about all things COVID. In the midst of the conversation, my friend said this: “There is so much information available on the internet. Information I don’t think God ever intended for us to access because he never wanted us to know good and evil.“

Suddenly, I am rethinking so many things. Perhaps I haven’t really stepped very far from that first encounter between Adam, Eve and Satan. Am I still try to be like God – wanting to know good and evil. What needs to change? Is it good to access everything that is available? Should I leave some things for only God to know? Am I not making judgments every day, categorizing information I access as good or evil? And with that the person or entity that provided the information?

“The Lord our God has secrets known to no one. We are not accountable for them, but we and our children are accountable forever for all that he has revealed to us…”

Deuteronomy 29:29

So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know.

Acts 1:6-7

How often am I trying to gather information that the Father does not intend for me to know nor am I responsible for knowing it? Can I be content in the what I know today and trust the rest to my loving Father in heaven who is always good and always full of love?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

Proverbs 3:5-7

How about you? What do these words of wisdom from scripture mean to you? Are we still trying to be like God, knowing good and evil? How can you step away from that into a place of trust?