Identity Theft (3)
And He said, “Who told you that you were naked?” Genesis 3:11 NASB
Naked – Perhaps the real issue in life is not guilt but shame. It is possible to deal with guilt. Atonement sets aside guilt. If we are guilty, the law tells us what must be done to recompense and restore. Sometimes we have to repay. Sometimes we have to present an offering. Sometimes we need to ask for forgiveness. But guilt does not destroy a relationship. It puts the relationship in abeyance until the restitution is made.
Shame, on the other hand, destroys us. Guilt is about what I have done. Shame is about who I am. If what I have done incurs guilt, then there are things I can do (or someone else can do) that will take away the guilt. But shame can’t be undone. Shame is ontological. Shame doesn’t say, “What you did was wrong.” Shame says “YOU are wrong.” Shame says that there is something flawed in me, something that is part of who I am. In this sense, shame is like the doctrine of original sin. When I become the victim of shame, my very being is wrong. The only way to deal with this is to not exist.
Adam tells God that he is hiding because he is afraid. Why is he afraid? His answer: “because I am naked.” But this isn’t really an answer at all. We would expect Adam to say that he is afraid because he has broken the commandment. We would expect Adam to say that he is afraid because he is guilty. But he doesn’t say that. He says that he is naked. But Adam has always been naked. Why is being naked suddenly a reason for being afraid? Why has Adam’s perception of his very being in the world shifted so that what was once perfectly natural and acceptable is now terrifying and unnatural? Adam is afraid of being naked because suddenly being naked is revealing. What does it reveal? It reveals that Adam is able to look at himself from outside himself. For the first time, Adam experiences what he looks like through the eyes of another. He projects his discovery of an alter-ego into the world and what comes back to him is this: “You are no longer right with the world.” Adam’s own alter-ego, that part of him that is now concerned with how others perceive him, tells him that he is wrong about how he is in the world. Since he is guilty, he confirms that he is wrong. But now his guilt becomes a weapon against him, asserting that he isn’t just disobedient; he is flawed! There are cures for disobedience. There are no cures for flawed. At least that’s what we think when we feel shamed.
But God thinks otherwise. Adam and the woman did not listen to the external voice of the Lord with regard to diet. They listened to their heart, that inner voice of the yetzer ha’ra. The fruit that looked so good produced something hideously terrible – shame. Now God enters the scene and asks a question. Behind that question is another appeal to listen to the external voice of the Lord, not the now-screaming inner voice of shame. “Who told you that you were naked?” implies “I didn’t tell you that you were naked.” And if God does not tell us that we are shamed, then who are we going to believe: the inner voice that got us to this place, or the external voice of the Lord that restates our divine design? Who do you listen to when guilt floods your life? The yetzer ha’ra shouting that there is nothing worthy in you – or the Creator and Designer who asks why you are listening to yourself?
Topical Index: shame, naked, guilt, Genesis 3:11
I am curious Skip. Where does Ha Satan come in all this inner thing that drives one even to suicide? How do you deal with the reality of HaSatan? Or, do you think there is such a reality? Is it only ‘Self’ and ‘God’ that is at work? I would like to know.
I am quite sure that HaSatan is active in the production of shame. After all, he is the father of lies and the accuser. But our text today says nothing about him and reading him into the text isn’t appropriate. It takes a theological addition to equate HaSatan with the serpent.
–It takes a theological addition to equate HaSatan with the serpent.–
Our three enemies are sin, self and satan. Satan or hasatan (the accuser of the brethren) is a defeated foe. He was cast down and castrated at Calvary. Yeshua pulled his teeth and now all that is left is a puff of air who roars (but with no teeth.) He is a liar and the father of all lies. He is a deceiver, a poser, and a con artist par excellence. Our only defense against him is the same defense the son of man used, “it is written.” (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of G-d, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.. (2 Corinthians 10.5)
Of the three “self” is the least understood. It is who I am apart or without or outside of G-d. The natural man. (Weeds grow “naturally.”) “He that has the Son has life and he who does not have the Son does not have life.” There are those among us who are living, but have no Life. The question is this: Are we (now) in Christ? Do we (now) have the Son? -and, of course..- does He have us? Are we abiding (now) in Him? Do we (according to His instructions)- pray without ceasing? Are the high praises of G-d in our mouths and a two-edged sword in our hands?
Wow, this message is interesting. It begs for some contemplation and study. I would like to pick it apart point by point but I don’t have the time now. I see deep truth that could be interpreted in several different ways, some right on and some off based. I just read it quickly. Maybe tomorrow Skip will add Yeshua into the mix and tie it all together.
I look forward to your extended deliberation, especially the comment about “off base.”
What is atonement? How is atonement made? What did Adam do? From now on, I’ll try harder? Why did YHWH cover our parents with coats of skins? Where did these coats of skins come from? Did an innocent animal have to die for this? Was blood shed to provide this atonement? Weren’t Adam’s fig leaves good enough? Why was Cain’s sacrifice to G-d not accepted and Abel’s was? Didn’t Cain try hard enough? Wasn’t his self-sacrifice and self-effort good enough? Why can’t we “save” ourselves? What on earth do we need a Savior for? What was the purpose of Calvary? Why do we never talk about, discuss, review, remember the cross of Christ? the tslav of the Messiah? the blood of the Lamb? Was the crucifixion necessary or was it all for nought and in vain? A giant sham and pretense? What are these words? “and the blood of Jesus Christ (the) Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1.7) or these: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of G-d.” (1 Peter 1.18,19) Redemption? Redeemed? A Redeemer? Redeemed from what? and for what? -“so that we who had already fixed our hope on the Messiah might live for His praise and glory.” (Ephesians 1.2)
Here are our new “identity” tags-our new name. “in Christ”, “Redeemed1″ , ..”bought1”, “purchased”, “under new ownership.” “son,” “servant,” “steward,” “saint.” Who am we “in Christ?” – “a new creation”
We are His and He is ours. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. And today we will enter His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts, we will enter His courts with praise.. We will be thankful unto Him and bless His name, for the LORD is good, His mercy endures forever and His truth to all generations. I am my Beloved’s and He is mine. Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it!- Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb..
“The yetzer ha’ra shouting that there is nothing worthy in you – or the Creator and Designer who asks why you are listening to yourself?”
This statement seems to indicate that we really are fine sons of God but we just believe the lie of the yetzer ha’ra. Did the Designer created humans perfect? If so, are we still perfect but just listening to the yetzer ha’ra? Are the new agers right in saying that we really are perfect sons of God but just listening to the lie or believing the illusion? What you have said could be interpreted this way.
He did preface his introduction on the provision God has made for our guilt.
Shame on the other hand seems to say, that there is no provision for me and that I can make the decision of, whom I am and whether I should exist or not. I am taking the place of God in that scenario.
He is the only ONE who can make that decision, and He responds by asking me, “Who told you that you were naked?”
Who do you think we were in the garden? Or do you think the one asking that question is the “old man” or the self on the throne?
I guess, the new man would have no need to ask that question.
The confusion in Adam, has been my confusion also. I relate to myself from my own perspective and not God’s. The cause of this confusion is the same as it always has been, disobedience to the revealed word of God. Sin always causes my relationships with God, myself, others, and this world to be twisted and taking out of their true perspective.
What term should we put on this, old man, old self, flesh, or the yetzer ha’ra?
There is so much confusion in traditional Christianity when it comes to the idea of being born with a sinful nature. I have no choice in the matter and only God can deliver me from this depravity. Sin is not a substance that gets passed along from generation to generation, but actions of disbelief and disobedience to the living God. Each generation and each individual will give an account for these actions of obedience or disobedience.
Once again I encourage everyone to listen to the 3 lectures on yetzer ha’ra in the Talmud. I have reposted the link for tomorrow but you can find it by searching my site for yetzer ha’ra.
It could be, but anyone who reads more of what I say will not be so deluded. Like all truth, it “could” be understood another way. That’s the problem with non-mathematical systems. There are always alternative “right” answers. It’s just that the other “right” answers don’t work so well in the long run.
This is a great series on this message. I’ve been sharing to others that God is concerned about us positionally, and situational. God wants us to understand our position in relation to him and does not want the world or any other entity defining us other than Himself. Thanks for this message
The Deceiver’s voice and the Accuser’s voice are one in the same; the Evil one and his disciples.
This is being replayed on the stage before us right now. There is a voice that says “go ahead and do it”. “There’s no morality. Life is what you make of it. You’re in control of your destiny.”
Later the voice says, “Shame on you.” “How dare you act that way. You need to leave, resign, be humiliated.” “You are psychotic and a menace to society.”
Sometime later the voice says, “You can come back. You don’t need to change ; just redress yourself.”
it’s the same voice as before, and the cycle repeats.
So is this where it becomes imperative that we listen only to the Father’s voice confirming our identity in Christ? Also to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit convicting us of sin that requires repentance, as well as challenging and comforting us to resist the devil and he will flee from you?
Psalm 74:21, “Let not the oppressed return dishonored; let the afflicted and needy praise Thy name.”
O how I would that I could say I’ve only listened to my Beloved’s voice, but I’ve been an idolator. I’ve been deceived and I’ve been accused. People can debate over whether it was Satan, their own passions, or the history of the broken world; but it’s all the same voice and it’s not the LORD’s. First, the voice(s) convince me that what I know, see, and appraise is trustworthy. After I bite the voice(s) turn on me with labels, lashes, and lies. When will I learn? Better yet, when will I shema the God of Israel?
Yes, brother! He is the ONE voice that we can shema and not end in a place of isolation and desolation from God and everything that is good in His creation.
“perfectly Godly created humans – but listening to the yetzer ha’ra ”
If this is true, it only means that the new agers’ beliefs aren’t so new after all( old agers?) and that YHWH was right from the start. Like so many belief systems they took what suites them and left out the rest.
And if this statement is true, then working towards the restoration of the perfect Godly created human being, one should again rather focus on what it means to be human, than on being perfect?
On a lighter note, I think this is something most women knew all along.(Havvah- going for gold for the sake of her man!) Too bad that we tend to sin more in our strenghts.
Skip,
Thank you for your teaching on this subject. This question and the first He asked of Adam have profoundly impacted me for a number of years. I believe it is good to return to them often.
How so true. We always think that we are all that, forgetting that we are a six- day creation whose flawness can only be covered by our maker. We are incomplete in ourselves, we are not made as stand-alone, rather we are made to be joined with Him for His purpose.
True response, Ifeoma!
Skip,
I have questions for you concerning shame.
You have mentioned Kenneth Bailey’s writings and his discussion on shamed based semitc societies and how they play an important role in our understanding of Yeshua’s teachings and parables. How does this fit in relationship to the shame of Adam?
Bad actions “=” shame for those actions, but does not “=” shame for one’s self. How does a body of believers incorporate this into their relationships with a fallen member of their community? And how and what actions does that community take to restore one such member and family?
In Semitic societies shame is a public issue related to the discovery and revelation of hypocrisy. It is humiliation about falsification in the public arena. But in our society, shame has been converted to an inner feeling or experience of worthlessness. As such, it cannot be removed by public apology or sacrifice. It can’t be atoned for. Shame for us is a confirmation of our essential depravity. This you will not find in Semitic cultures. Shame in Scripture can be dealt with. I can make atonement. But shame as Freudian uselessness destroys our ability to be redeemed. ONe might consider how much Greek philosophy concerning the essential corruption of the existing world has played a role in the formation of inner shame.
Another thing I see here is, (not to get off track) that when Adam choose to sin in one area, ie; not to believe God about the quality of the fruit. Adam was affected in other areas of his relationship with God as well. So if doubt was cast on God in the area of honesty, it doesn’t stop at the “apple”. Could it be that what we have called the “sin nature” is really the results of sin, ever gaining momentum in our lives. From lie to lie, compromise to compromise, slowly weaving a web of darkness (no light/understanding) around us, until we find ourselves on the brink of destruction and call out for help. Do we think God knew what He was doing when He cursed the ground for man’s sake? God’s great at looking under fig leaves for the fruit. He did it again in Jerusalem and He does it daily with us. Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree. Waddaya mean, why don’t we ever discuss Yeshua and who we are in Him. I’m a dead man walkin’ and the life I now live I live for Christ, who Gave Himself for me! I’ve got to whither and die, before I can live.
It would be a worthwhile study to catalogue the sins (plural) that are captured in the Genesis account following the initial decision to evaluate the “good” based on what is good for me. There are many – spinning immediately into action.
Why don’t we. You’ve got my blessing. It always amazes me how “multidimensional” Genesis is. Every foundational precept up to the method is condensed there. We’ll never figure it out by ourselves. That’s the great part of being a member of the Body, we all have different functions, so we “observe things differently.
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, who was with her, and he ate it. (Genesis 3.6)
-Now why Adam didn’t remember the words of YHWH and “speak up,” I’d like to know.. Did He forget? Was he also, caught up in the moment?
The First Adam : the lust of the flesh- she saw the fruit that is was good for food
The temptation of the Second Adam: the lust of the flesh: The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” (Matthew 4.3) He hadn’t had anything to eat in forty days. “After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.” (Matthew 4.2) -Understatement of the year award..
The temptation of the Second Adam: the lust of the eyes: – Again, the devil takes Him (Yeshua) up into an exceeding high mountain, and shows Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; (Matthew 4.8)
is there a literal devil? lol! Is there a literal Yeshua? (He saw the kingdoms of this world and the glory of them). Adam was made to have dominion- did Hasatan steal the birthright of Adam? did Adam forfeit his “right to reign” by his disobedience? Do we? What father wants to bless a disobedient son?
the lust of the flesh- I’m gonna stay neutral on the flesh and just say perhaps they were hungry, a perfectly natural and normal state of being- Sometimes there is a “twisting” or perversion of our normal and natural appetites, such as when food becomes controlling or when our appetites rule over us..
the pride of life: First Adam: “For G-d knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like G-d, knowing good and evil.” Pride is number one of the list of sins G-d hates. “There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to Him:” (Proverbs 6.16-19) “haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,” a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” Pride is anti-Christ. (and anti-Moses!)
“All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” (Matthew 4.9) Can you imagine the nerve, the cheek, the audacity, the chutzpah of this creature, this fallen angel, saying to the Creator who made him- bow down and worship me? Talk about an identity crisis!! The little guy didn’t know who he was talking to! It’s (pardon me..) almost laughable!
How did Yeshua end up the Victor in this temptation? In all points He was tempted – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, just as we are, yet He was without sin. How did He do it? The same way you and I may do it. We have to remember something. We have to remember “thus saith the LORD!” We must remember “it is written.” “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119.11
What if the scenario went something like this?- “But Eve, sweetheart.. G-d said not to eat the fruit! Don’t you remember what He said?” (-and Father knows best.)
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.
And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. I John 3:1-3
The Scripture passage above should have been on the “Second Marriage” blog.
My beloved snagged my computer for a few moments and when I came back to Skip’s blog, I assumed I was in the right arena. Sorry for the mistake.
Shabbat shalom everyone!