It is a common theme: A child is told that he can have “Any toy in the store,” except for that “One toy over there.” Instead of the child being grateful for having to choose between the 1,000 (or more!) toys in the store, the child wants that one toy he is told he cannot have. As a result, the child pitches a fit because his heart is set on that one toy while ignoring the 1,000 (or more!) toys in the store!
If we think about this long enough, it is not only the oldest story in the world, but it is also a worldwide phenomenon that affects not only children, but every human that has ever lived, regardless of their age or stage in life. It is the oldest story in the world because it describes Adam and Eve’s predicament from Genesis 3. They were told that they can eat fruit from any tree in the garden, except for one tree. Instead of being happy with 1,000 trees full of fruit (we don’t really know how many trees they could have eaten from, but we can assume it was way more than one), they were tempted by the one tree forbidden to them, and they were eventually guilty from eating its fruit.
People often complain about Christianity because it “has so many rules.” First of all, this mischaracterizes the Bible and views it one-dimensionally as only “a book of rules,” instead of a book to discover who God is that we might love Him more and have a relationship with Him. Second, this objection views the commands of God as more negative than positive. One who complains about the commands God gives either does not know who God is, or they have forgotten who He is. If one knows God as a God who loves and cares for His people, then one will see that God’s love for us is why He gives us commands, rather than the distorted view of Him being a “killjoy.” God is, by putting His commands in place, attempting to increase our joy and to protect our joy through His commands, rather than diminishing it. We only think God is “diminishing” or joy because we do not understand Him or His commands. Third, we know that God is a God who desires abundance for His people rather than lack, because He originally gave Adam and Eve an entire of garden of trees to eat from. God desires for us to experience joy (at least, if we keep with the Garden theme), from a “multitude of trees.” How could anyone believe that God is “holding something back from us” whenever only one tree was originally forbidden while a thousand more were permitted? God is, at His root, a God who permits more than forbids.
However, since the Fall, our view of God and our view of His commands have become distorted. We are so obsessed with what is forbidden that we fail to see the joy in what He permits. For most (if not ALL?) of our innate desires, God permits ways for those desires to be fulfilled, although within proper boundaries. The boundaries are meant to make those desires increase in joy, not to decrease them. The old adage, “Ponder first why a fence was put there before you remove it” is wise advice in this instance. Maybe, by removing a “moral fence,” I am increasing my pain and decreasing my joy instead? Adam and Eve certainly might have a word for us on the pain that comes from removing “moral fences.” When we see a list of options before us, the “restrictions” typically stand out to us more so than the “permissions.” Why? Because sin has distorted our view of options. We must realize this, or we will drive ourselves mad seeking that which is forbidden (and which will eventually harm us) rather than finding joy in what God has permitted. The lies of lust, greed, and covetousness drive our desire for the forbidden rather than allowing contentment, and the knowledge of God’s great love and care for us, to drive our desire for what is permitted. May we, today, find joy & contentment in the permissions of God rather than complaining to God, and becoming suspicious of God, due to His restrictions, which are given out of love and for our safety.