Demonic Irony in the Garden

The garden remains the fertile crescent for diagnosing and dealing with the rebellion of the heart.  What was at the heart of their fall?  It was idolatry.  The disgusting dissatisfaction with God and over stimulation with and by stuff and self.

And really, the shamefully attractive lure here for our first parents is the prospective of becoming god (Gen. 3.5).  But what they did not know was that pleasure is fleeting and artificial apart from God.

Instead of eating the sweet fruit of freedom, fulfillment, and joy, they shattered their teeth on the demonic irony of self-worship.

They wanted freedom but became enslaved

They hoped to live but they died

They wanted enjoyment but they got heartache

They pursued wisdom but became fools

They wanted pride but became ashamed

They wanted progress but went backwards

They wanted to be free from rules but became enslaved to a ruthless master.

Oh the devestation wrought in misplaced desire.  Idolatry kills us and claimed Christ.  But thanks be to God that while he was bitten by the serpent he did indeed crush his head (Gen. 3.15)!

Possibly Related posts:

1. Knowing Liberty
2. Celebrating Freedom
3. I Need a Fresh Swig of the Gospel Tonic
4. The Glorious Irony of Righteousness in Justification
5. Irony and Jesus