Guard

Wk 1 Day 2

Genesis 3:24
²⁴ After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

// THOUGHTS:

.. Adam and Eve, we know, disobeyed God's command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (2:17)
.. This tree used to be free - without guard - anytime Adam and Eve could pass through it and look through them
.. The temptation began when the serpent gave the thought to Eve that they would not die (2:4)
.. Eve thought about it - that it was good for food and pleasing to the eye plus desirable for gaining wisdom (2:6a) and eventually partook of it (2:6b)
.. Eventually, Eve gave some to Adam too and partook of it as well - the account of the fall of man.

// PRACTICAL:

.. What used to be free is now being guarded because of the temptations that can arise - starting in the person's evil mind. (James 1:14)
.. Guards are important to have in order to restrain from the evil that may come our way.
.. Use guards to help stay away from more temptations from the "free floating" things in life.

// BELLE:

.. I need to guard myself with specific things that I know I can have free-will power to act from my own evil desires.
.. I will not tear down the guards I am putting for myself - I will honor it and make sure I am faithful in doing what I am supposed to do.
.. What are my guards? Stay away from things to do that will bring me back to what I used to be.

// Lord, You are my helper. I pray that You will continue to guide me in my thoughts that it will not lead to my evil desires at any time. I pray that You will help me to keep my mind clear of things that may see "pleasing to the eye" or "desirable for gaining wisdom" or "good for 'food'". God, You know what's in my heart. Create in me a pure and clean heart and renew the right spirit within me, daily. I lift this up to You in Jesus' name, amen.