Some questions have deceit in their origin.
The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1, NLT)
Do you think that Satan had the best motives when asking Eve this question? Did he have an ulterior motive? Did Satan want to deceive Eve and establish control and further his own diabolical agenda?
Yes, yes, yes, and yes.
To create doubt and begin subterfuge – there is no better way to begin than with a dangerous question.
In recent years, I have seen a shift with some Bible teachers, theologians, and pastors as they ask lots of questions. Are these questions asked for understanding, or as a subtle challenge to God’s commands?
A dangerous question seeks to challenge from hidden motives of rebellion, control, and enticement.
God said to Adam:
The Lord God warned him, “You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden – except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die” (Genesis 2:16-17).
God said it and then Satan asked a question about it. Through this question he created doubt.
The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:2-4).
Not eating from a particular tree and then a warning of death – isn’t this command extreme? Does God really mean what He says?
God’s holiness is absolute. Do your questions arise from guilt and a desire for self-justification? Are they angry from past offenses? God answers with mercy and grace.
Dangerous questions have no solution or resolution.
How about commands for sexuality within biblical commands; Jesus claiming to be the only way; and the fundamental doctrine of scripture as inspired? Doesn’t God want us to love everyone? Are we being narrow-minded? Aren’t the stories in the Bible inspiration by God and not history?
Our questions: Are they honest, searching for truth, or weaponized for temptation?
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 to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate (Genesis 3:6).
Every temptation arises from one of three areas – good for food (sensuality), a delight to the eyes (materialism/money), and a desire to make one wise (pride).
A question, doubt, and then death in paradise.
And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden (Genesis 3:8).
Sin is always about the breakup of relationship. The evil one does not want you to experience the presence of God. The breakup with God, others, and self starts with doubt.
Beware of dangerous questions.