In the article sin – the origins I described the stages of sin, in this article I delve deeper into the sin of rebellion, what it looks like, how this sin grows in us and how the real heart issues can be resolved.
The rebellion cycle
Insecurity->Distrust of Authority/Authority Intentions->Desire to be Independent->Doing things your way->Disobedience->Rebellion->Demonic oppression->Death
Eve
Eve was created to be Adam’s helper, in the pecking order; God came first then Adam then her. This did not mean that she was lesser than Adam. In fact, Paul clarifies this by describing this interrelated relationship between man and woman.
For man was not made from woman, but woman from man.Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man….Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God. 1 Corinthians 11:9-12
God created us to be interdependent with him and our spouses and not codependent or independent from each other. But the devils deception convinced Eve that God was holding something good from her, that God’s command was unjust, by eating the fruit she would be equal to God therefore be number one or equal to number one in the pecking order.
For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God Genesis 3:5
The devil was able to plant a seed of mistrust in God’s intention, by inferring that God did not want to have Eve’s eyes open because he is threatened by Eve becoming like God. The distrust in the motive behind the command, led Eve to want to break rank. What the fruit offered her is independence the ability to be like God, and therefore not need God. Autonomy to do things her way..what Eve did not know is that yes, the devil was right she did get the ability to be like God having the knowledge of good and evil. But her independence/separation from God who is the source of light and life, would lead to death.
When Eve ate the fruit she disobeyed God, but when she acquired the ability to discern between good and evil she became rebellious. The dictionary defines a rebel as ‘Someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action”, therefore in my opinion the root issue in the relationship between God and man is the desire for man to be independent from the authority rule instructions and provision of God. Note, sin is a condition of the heart Adam and Eve had the ability to think and act autonomously to do good or evil, without the serpent inciting them.
The next sin in the story is committed by Eve, where she plays the role of the serpent and lures her husband to eat the fruit. The devil had accomplished his goal, all he had to do is step back and allow the knowledge ability and desire to do evil in Eve play out, the cycle of sin had began.
“Consistent disobedience if not corrected leads to rebellion and separation from God”
Saul
If you will fear the Lord and serve Him, and listen to His voice and not rebel against the command of the Lord, then both you and also the king who reigns over you will follow the Lord your God. If you will not listen to the voice of the Lord, but rebel against the command of the Lord, then the hand of the Lord will be against you, as it was against your fathers. 1 Samuel 12:14-15
Saul the first king of Israel started off well, he had a great promise over him. That the kingdom would be established forever under his rule, that is until he failed God’s test of obedience.
Samuel had asked Saul to wait for him for seven days so that he offers sacrifices to petition God for favor, during an upcoming battle. On this particular day Samuel delayed, unfortunately Saul due to his inpatients, caved to the pressure of those he led.
As soon as he finished offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him and to greet him. But Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “Because I saw that the people were scattering from me, and that you did not come within the appointed days, 1 Samuel 13:10- 12
Rebellion is as sinful as witchcraft, and stubbornness as bad as worshiping idols. So because you have rejected the command of the LORD, he has rejected you as king. 1 Samuel 15:23
Every sin, when done for too long leads to demonic operation, that was true then. It is true today, unlike Eve Saul’s fall was because he feared man more than God. There is an interesting pattern in the bible, women fall into disobedience because they want something i.e wealth, power, a child, authority or autonomy. Men of God fall because of the fear or love of their wives/women, or those they lead. Saul’s problem was the latter.
Saul was a deeply insecure leader, when the selection process for the first king of Israel was ongoing, the bible records that he hid himself.
Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him. So again they inquired of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD replied, “Behold, he has hidden himself among the baggage.” 1 Samuel 10:21 -22
This I believe was the root issue, his insecurity. That manifested itself, in the fear of man.
Insecurity has two aspects
When the Spirit of God left Saul, God gave him what he wanted autonomy i.e to do things in his own strength and wisdom (did what was right in his own eyes), his inability to repent and to hear from God (the very thing he had ignored in the past) led him to sorcery
Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” 1 Samuel 28:8
Saul’s story is a sad one, he started off in the spirit and ended in the extreme manifestations of the flesh i.e sorcery and demonic operation. Whenever I read his story, the thought that comes to mind is how dangerous it is to do things in our own strength. If you start with God, finish with God as Paul stated
You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? .. After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh? Galatians 3:1-3
The bible contrasts his life with that of David in great detail, where David succeeded Saul failed. Many times I have empathized with Saul, he was totally unprepared for this role, with no predecessor to learn from. The main difference between David and Saul, is that David went through the college of the holy spirit (the wilderness) that enforced in him a deep dependency and trust in God and his voice.
1 chronicles 10:13-14 So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.
Conclusion
2. John 5:19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.”
Blessings or Curses 
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