Gratitude Is The Key

 "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools." Romans 1:21-22

Pastor Martinez mentioned something last night that I have never thought of before. How was it that Adam and Eve, living in paradise, walking with the Lord, were so easily tempted to disobey God and do evil? 

I think that the Serpent was in the Garden and he was watching Adam and Eve. He saw something that became obvious to him and he devised a plan to deceive them and cause them to do evil. What did the Serpent see? He never saw then worship or thank the Lord for all the blessings He had given them. He saw, and no doubt heard them speaking, and discovered that they felt that they were equal to God. Adam and Eve felt superior to all of creation. They talked over Garden business with the Lord regularly. The Serpent did not tempt them with sex, drugs, or alcohol. He tempted them with the prospect that the fruit was the only thing left to make them fully equal with God. He appealed to their pride.

It makes me wonder if Adam and Eve were not grateful or thankful and that maybe they never expressed their gratitude to the Lord for all they enjoyed freely. They knew God was real and that He had created all that they saw.

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:20.

Adam and Eve made excuses for actions for which there was no excuse. They were rejected and forced out of the Garden. Their influence evaporated. Their rule ended.  They became fools who acted foolishly and they disappear from the pages of history. The last words of Eve are recorded in Genesis 4:25; "For God has appointed another seed for me instead of Abel, whom Cain killed.". All Adam did was have children for the next 800 years. He said nothing notable, he built nothing lasting. He just lived until he died. What a wasted life.

Pastor Martinez told us that the key to walking in the Spirit for us is worship. Honoring God and being thankful. Gratitude involves our mind, our heart, and our mouth.