The World: A Backward Place To Live

Paul J. Bucknell

Overview

• Would you like to walk upside down?
• Would you like to have a dark sun?
• Would you like the children to be in charge at home?
• Would you like man to be God so he could control things?

(1) Eating what one shouldn’t (Genesis 3:1-6)

Eating what we shouldn’t is not only a modern problem.

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.’” And the serpent said to the woman, “You surely shall not die! “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate” (Genesis 3:1-6 NASB).

We need to obey God when He instructs us not to do something. Eve did things backwards. She ate the fruit that should not have been eaten. Many problems, if not all, came from this ‘backwards’ eating.

(2) Dark when it should be light (Matthew 5:14-16)

Coverups and exposure of plots fill our news reports while what is right, normal, and good are eschewed and hidden from the public light–less some might consider what is normal or proper to be good and considered a norm.

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16, NASB).

We need to tell people about Jesus and the right way to live rather than keeping it a secret. Covering up the light is backwards.

(3) Exchange the truth for a lie (Romans 1:25)

An evil world is perhaps aptly described as one that suppresses truth and enlarges the world of dark lies. “For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:25).

We need to protect God’s truth and never lie. His ways are always best. Lies and deceit are always ‘backwards’. God, however, remains to be great and good. We just mess up things when we think our ways are better.

Summary

We are happiest when we do things God’s ways. His ways are always best. Satan tries to trick us to think that the ‘backwards’ way–the opposing way–is best, but it always delivers horrible tragedies! Don’t believe Satan. God says that when we don’t do what He says, then we sin–the darkness that separates us from God’s glory (Rom 3:23).

Symptoms of Backwardness: Divorce–Abortion–Sexual immorality–Lies–Hatred–Arrogance–Passionate desires–Denying one’s given gender–Unjust judges–Selfish lawsuits–Leadership by deception–Bragging, etc.

Here are two examples of 'backward' thinking which are popular among many posing as intellectuals.

• They affirm care for people but adopt policies that foster usage of drugs, multiplying crime, brokenness in relationships and deaths due to addiction.
• They affirm they are for toleration and freedom but restrict and even assault those who stand up for values, love, and God.

The world is backwards, but through God’s grace we choose to go forward with and for God. “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith” (1 John 5:4).

______________________________
Do the following exercise.

Draw a backward picture here.
Then cross it out.

Draw a picture in right perspective here.
Then put a smiley face by it!

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Biblical Foundations for Freedom ( BFF )

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell

info@foundationsforfreedom.net

Scriptures quoted from the New American Standard Bible unless noted
(C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1988