Most people know the stories of Curious George. He always found himself in mischief because he was so inquisitive. It’s funny how we often want things that we can’t have or things that aren’t good for us. Why is that? Why is it that the things we can’t have or so enticing? We get a clear glimpse of this in The Garden of Eden in the Bible. Adam and Eve were both told that they could eat from any tree in the Garden, except one. The enemy enticed Eve to eat of that tree. Genesis 3 says, “Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the Garden?” “… You will certainly not die,” The serpent said to the woman. For God knows that when 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 fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband…”

And just like that the enemy appealed to her flesh and enticed her to disobey God. The enemy is very crafty and knows how to get you off track. If your weakness is six foot, dark skinned, charming, and athletic built, he won’t try to entice you with someone five-five, light-skinned, and thin. The enemy will appeal to your flesh to try to throw you off course. The next thing you know your life is in a downward spiral and you can’t remember how you got here in the first place.

2 Samuel 11 talks about the infamous story of David and Bathsheba. 2 Samuel 11 says, “One evening David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful, and David sent someone to find out about her. The man said, “She is Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and wife of Uriah the Hittite. Then David sent messengers to get her. She came to him, and he slept with her.” She later became pregnant and King David attempted to cover up his mistakes by having her husband come home from war to sleep with her, but he wouldn’t. King David later had her husband killed in the war by putting him on the front line. In this story, King David appealed to his flesh and slept with another man’s wife. He went through various tasks to try to cover up what he did. Sometimes certain choices can cause us to not think clearly and make irrational decisions.

Is God really mean for telling us to not engage in certain behaviors? God is NOT some mean ogre in the sky that wants us to live a boring life. He is a loving and protecting father and has valid reasons for wanting us to abstain from certain behaviors. For instance, most people have sex before marriage. The Bible clearly states not to engage in sexual relations if you aren’t married. But why? Sex is a fun activity that most people enjoy; surely God will not tell me to not have fun. Sex, if not married can come with a slew of issues; unplanned pregnancies, broken homes, diseases, soul ties, and emotional issues just to name a few.

God did not intend for us to live unhappy lives. He destined us all for greatness! So, when God tells us to wait until marriage to have sex, it’s not because he’s being mean. He genuinely cares about our well-being. It’s the enemy that appeals to our flesh, so we can be broke down and depressed. And just like in the Garden of Eden, the enemy tell us,” Did God really say that…?  Surely, God would want you to have fun. It’s modern day, most people are doing it anyway.” It is important to stay prayed up everyday and read the word of God. It will keep you on the right path.