INSIGHT FOR TODAY WITH CHUCK SWINDOLL.
Chuck Swindoll’s ‘Insight for Today’ Daily Devotional is here. “Insight for Today” is a daily devotional written by Chuck Swindoll
The Topic of Chuck Swindoll Daily Devotional 20th December 2022 is “The Origin of Self “.
TODAY’S INSIGHT – 20TH DECEMBER 2022.
It’s been my experience that before I can fully conquer any problem, I need to understand the problem as well as possible, especially its origin.
To do that with “self,” we must go back, way back, to that ancient scene pictured for us in the second and third chapters of Genesis: the garden of Eden. What a super spot! Beautiful beyond description, a perfect, pollution-free atmosphere, luxurious foliage, fragrant flowers, crystal-clear water—that garden would make Tahiti look like a pigsty by comparison.
And on top of all the physical beauty, there was absolute innocence. No sin. Which means that Adam and Eve had a relationship that was free of hang-ups. The last verse in Genesis 2 verifies that: “And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:25).
Naked. Laid bare. Open. Not just physically but emotionally as well. That explains why they were not ashamed. The Hebrew construction suggests they were not ashamed “with one another.” There was this remarkable openness, a lack of self-consciousness in each other’s presence. Talk about the ideal marriage! Their discussions, their actions, their entire existence were non-defensive, unguarded, and absolutely unselfish.
How could it be? No sin. Therefore, no selfishness. Until . . . You guessed it.
Enter the Devil with his alluring offer, and exit innocence with its pleasurable benefits (Genesis 3:1–6). And the result?
Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loin coverings. (3:7)
Don’t miss what that says about their eyes. They were opened. There was a sudden, shocking realization they were naked. Seems amazing to us, doesn’t it? You and I couldn’t be more aware of those times when we are naked. Just a half-opened zipper makes us blush.
But remember the difference. Suddenly, those two became self-conscious. They’d never known those feelings before. You and I have never known anything else.
What we read here in the Genesis account is the origin of self-awareness, self-concern, and selfishness. And it all started with willful sin.
About Chuck Swindoll Daily Devotional “Today’s Insight”.
Today’s Insight is written by Charles R. Swindoll. Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word and His grace. Since 1988 he has served as the founder and senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Texas, but his listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. The radio broadcast of this devotional program has aired for more than 35 years. Read more.
Thank you for reading. This Devotional was shared via www.thedevotionals.com.ng
