Hiding from God

(#55, Hinkley/Kelso, 1951)

Read Genesis 3:1-10,21.

Look at how Satan deceived Eve.

    1.  He got Eve to listen, v1.

    2.  He put doubt in Eve's mind about the word of God, v1.

    3.  He created suspicion that God was withholding good from them, v5.

    4.  He got Eve to look, v6.

    5.  Eve desired, v6.

    6.  Eve took, v6.

They hid themselves from the presence of God, v8.

There are many ways people try to hide from God.  They may seek to hide behind the tree of...

ƒ    False hope, religion.  Psalm 10:11 speaks of those who delude themselves by thinking God does not see the sin, that guilt is not real.

ƒ    False peace.  1 Thess. 5:3 speaks of those who say "peace and safety" when God's judging wrath is at the door.

ƒ    Self-righteousness.  The Pharisee praying in Luke 18:11-12 was like this.  He thought "his" righteousness gave him right standing in God's presence.

ƒ    God's works.  Some think that since they are related to the powerful works of God that He has accepted them.  Simon in Acts 8:9-13,18-23 was like this.  He was on hand when God moved in a mighty way.  But his faith was not genuinely in God but merely in God's power.  Those who trusted Jesus for His miracles alone were also like this (John 6:25-29).

In the time of God's judgment people will seek to hide behind rocks and mountains (Rev. 6:16).  But the fact is: it is impossible to hide from God (Jer. 23:24; Heb. 4:13).

They covered themselves with fig leaves.

Again the Bible is clear: man cannot cover over his sin (Rom. 3:9-12; 7:18; Jer. 2:22).  There is only One working cover for sin, a covering that involves the shedding of blood.  God's provision of skins for Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:21) prefigured the Lord Jesus Christ Who is that covering (1 Peter 1:18-19).

Stop hiding from God so you can hide in God (Psalm 32:7)