Let Go: The Innate Human Syndrome
I am sure we are all familiar with the story of Adam and Eve. Through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, sin was introduced into the world. Hence why everyone born after them, has the innate habit to sin. But indirectly, we also inherited this subconscious desire to play God. Most times when we play God, we are striving to “assist” Him with a promise He has spoken concerning our lives.
Eve had the desire to be like God. If she didn’t, hearing that the fruit could make her like God wouldn’t have enticed her to eat it.
“No! You will not die,” the serpent said to the woman. “In fact, God knows that when you eat it your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Then the woman saw that the tree was good for food and delightful to look at, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom. So she took some of its fruit and ate it; she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.
Genesis 3:4-6
Through her disobedience, we not only inherited the nature to sin, but we now have the innate desire to play God. Follow me as we travel down the family tree, scoping the oh so common trend.
God promised Abram that he would be the father of a great nation. Cool! The only problem is Abram has no kids! Don’t worry! His wife (aka half sister) decided to play God and gave her maidservant to Abram. But there was a plot twist. The promise STILL WOULDN'T come through Ishmael. Ouch! When playing God backfires (Genesis 16 & 21). But since it’s an innate characteristic, they weren’t directly trying to play God.
Next up: we have Israel, the man formerly known as Jacob. The deceiver, not the jeweler. God told Rebekah that Jacob, although he was the younger twin, would rule over Esau. Cool! The only problem is Isaac had to bless his sons with their birthright. Have no fear! Mama Rebekah is here! She helped Jacob pretend to be Esau, so his near-death father could speak the firstborn blessings over him. We all know, we sow what we reap, so we weren’t surprised when Jacob got deceived and scammed by his uncle. Must run in the family (Genesis 27). But since it’s a natural trait, they weren’t aware of the consequences of their actions.
Lastly, we have up to the block... YOU!
Have you been playing God lately? Have you taken it upon yourself to fulfill the desires God placed in your heart? Are you fully trusting God to keep His word?
If you find yourself playing God, before you act, ask yourself these questions:
1. Are these faith-based actions or actions done from a place of worry?
Before you act, test the motivation behind the actions. Acting from a place of worry just personifies your lack of trust in God and/or your lack of awareness of God’s plans for you. It’s okay to not always know ALL of God’s plans, but it's not beneficial for you to continue this journey without faith in the One who guides you. It can only lead to further setbacks and detours.
“There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death”
Proverbs 14:12 NLT
2. Will it align you with God’s plans for your life?
Our actions can either move us closer to God’s plan for our life or derail us. And to some extent, keep us in the place of complacency. Before you act, make sure this is the will of the Lord and it will align you with His plans for you, not your plan.
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 NLT
3. Do you trust God or is your faith wavering?
We should really examine the state of our hearts before we act. Because out of our hearts, flow the issues of life.
Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.
Hebrews 10:23 NLT
We must examine our hearts in order to ensure that we are producing Christlike actions. Before we act, we must see if we are acting in accordance with God’s will for our lives or looking for another way to fulfill His promises to us through carnal deeds. Unlike Eve, we trust God would order our steps to ensure the manifestation of His promise. He orders the steps of the righteous and as long as we remain righteous in His eyes, the path is paved for us to strut down.
