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Eve and Legalism
Jan. 3rd, 2003 09:55 amI’m sure everyone is familiar with the story of the temptation of Eve in Eden. Genesis 2 tells us God’s specific command regarding the tree “in the middle of the garden.” Genesis 3 describes Eve’s encounter with the serpent, who nudged her towards stretching the truth with his much-exaggerated query, “Has God really told you not to eat ANY of the fruit from the trees in the garden.” Eve, instead of answering with complete accuracy (though I cannot say whether the fault was hers or the fault of the husband who told her), explained that there was one tree from which they were not to eat (she said which tree), adding that they were not even to touch it, lest they should die.
Of course, the story goes on from there and we are all well-acquainted with the results of that ill-fated day. However, I would like to focus on Eve’s addition to God’s command, and the possible attitudes that prompted it. Her very exaggeration of God’s Word was what we would now call legalism, and I think that people’s motives for it might be just the same.
What does motivate legalism? What motivates adding to the words of our authorities (God and whomever He has placed over us)? I could not help thinking of occasions when I had exaggerated the words of my parents just to make them sound as unreasonable as I thought they were. Of course, I did not act this way outside of our family…I usually only did this in conversation with siblings. My reason was a rebellious heart. I did not like the command I was given, so I stretched it when I told other people about it. Maybe it was to engage their sympathy, or maybe it was just my own selfish pity-party. The main thing, though, was that rebellion motivated it. I think it is quite possible that Eve responded to the serpent with a similar attitude. However, it is only speculation.
Another possibility for reasons to add to God’s Word is self-righteousness. Somehow, we think we can do better than God. It amazes me to consider this, especially since I realize that very few people do this consciously. Self-righteousness comes from pride, the same root from which rebellion springs. Somehow, I think that rebellion might still be an issue here. In my own life, I know that I like to be “in control,” even if it means going further than authorities say I must. I know it sounds childish (it is), and I’ve been childish a long time—most of my life.;-) Still, it is quite possible that we manage to incorporate this concept into a more sophisticated practice, though it is still the same in our hearts.
A third possibility is that Eve added to God’s command in order to help herself keep His actual command. Certainly, adding to God’s Word was not a necessity. When the Lord shows us our weakness, our response may be to institute specific practices that are, by nature, extra biblical. When this stems from our love for the Lord, and evidences itself humbly, it is entirely appropriate. However, it would be unwise for us to do anything to give others the impression that our practices are required for holiness. Instead of adding to God’s Word, this is an opportunity to humble ourselves, explaining our weaknesses (when necessary), and that we are willing to sacrifice some things even though God does not require it.
Just to give some specific examples of how this has applied to my life, I’d like to present three areas: dress, finances, and on-line communication with guys. In the area of dress, I know that God desires women to dress modestly; therefore (and I don’t believe this is required by God’s Word), I wear mostly long dresses/skirts. I know He desires us to be wise with our money; therefore, I do not gamble [We have discussed this at The Martiean Palace]. The Lord desires me to honor my parents and guard my heart; therefore, I do little, if any, personal, one-on-one correspondence with guys in general and none at all with guys I have not met (face-to-face). The practices I follow in my life are not specifically required by God, insofar as they are not necessarily appropriate for other believers to follow. Yet, in my life, it would result in disobedience to God if I did not practice these things. I do them to please Him.
No, I’m not perfect, but I want to obey the Lord with all my heart!
Of course, the story goes on from there and we are all well-acquainted with the results of that ill-fated day. However, I would like to focus on Eve’s addition to God’s command, and the possible attitudes that prompted it. Her very exaggeration of God’s Word was what we would now call legalism, and I think that people’s motives for it might be just the same.
What does motivate legalism? What motivates adding to the words of our authorities (God and whomever He has placed over us)? I could not help thinking of occasions when I had exaggerated the words of my parents just to make them sound as unreasonable as I thought they were. Of course, I did not act this way outside of our family…I usually only did this in conversation with siblings. My reason was a rebellious heart. I did not like the command I was given, so I stretched it when I told other people about it. Maybe it was to engage their sympathy, or maybe it was just my own selfish pity-party. The main thing, though, was that rebellion motivated it. I think it is quite possible that Eve responded to the serpent with a similar attitude. However, it is only speculation.
Another possibility for reasons to add to God’s Word is self-righteousness. Somehow, we think we can do better than God. It amazes me to consider this, especially since I realize that very few people do this consciously. Self-righteousness comes from pride, the same root from which rebellion springs. Somehow, I think that rebellion might still be an issue here. In my own life, I know that I like to be “in control,” even if it means going further than authorities say I must. I know it sounds childish (it is), and I’ve been childish a long time—most of my life.;-) Still, it is quite possible that we manage to incorporate this concept into a more sophisticated practice, though it is still the same in our hearts.
A third possibility is that Eve added to God’s command in order to help herself keep His actual command. Certainly, adding to God’s Word was not a necessity. When the Lord shows us our weakness, our response may be to institute specific practices that are, by nature, extra biblical. When this stems from our love for the Lord, and evidences itself humbly, it is entirely appropriate. However, it would be unwise for us to do anything to give others the impression that our practices are required for holiness. Instead of adding to God’s Word, this is an opportunity to humble ourselves, explaining our weaknesses (when necessary), and that we are willing to sacrifice some things even though God does not require it.
Just to give some specific examples of how this has applied to my life, I’d like to present three areas: dress, finances, and on-line communication with guys. In the area of dress, I know that God desires women to dress modestly; therefore (and I don’t believe this is required by God’s Word), I wear mostly long dresses/skirts. I know He desires us to be wise with our money; therefore, I do not gamble [We have discussed this at The Martiean Palace]. The Lord desires me to honor my parents and guard my heart; therefore, I do little, if any, personal, one-on-one correspondence with guys in general and none at all with guys I have not met (face-to-face). The practices I follow in my life are not specifically required by God, insofar as they are not necessarily appropriate for other believers to follow. Yet, in my life, it would result in disobedience to God if I did not practice these things. I do them to please Him.
No, I’m not perfect, but I want to obey the Lord with all my heart!
