We have a distinction as human beings in the creation plan of God no other creature can ever know, we have the ability to choose. No animal knows this course, they are led by instinct, an impossible force to overcome. At times of course they can make decisions, to avoid danger, to choose one path on the road or in the field over another, but the entirety of their lives is dominated by an impulse that becomes overwhelming. Migrating birds do not decide to spend the winter in the frozen north, lions have no choice, the smallest cubs are left to die, or are eaten.
This is not just how it was in the beginning; no ravenous beast desiring flesh came before Adam to be named, (Gen. 2:20) there was absolutely no fear of man within them, (Gen. 9:2) the curse placed these upon them, and us in a sense, for those attributes, those character traits that were prevalent in our first parents were clouded over, if you will, with the beginnings of sin. To know good and evil would not have been a sin for them, Solomon prayed for this blessing, I along with many others seek it each day, it was the disobedience that caused the curse, it was the willful choice that brought repercussions upon them and every single person ever born afterwards.
The instinct of the animals of God’s creation was altered, all of a sudden, the lamb became food for the lion, blood was shed, by them and later by the brother of Abel, Cain. Our “modus operandi,” our course, is now not the path that is intended, we have not been given any more or less free will than Adam was, our ability to make choices in our lives is no different than his was, “Do not sin against me,” these are the words of the Lord. The animals cannot, it is impossible for a soulless creature to sin, although I have no explanation for Satan’s decision, I know that as he will be held accountable for his own actions, so will we.
Every action that we take, notwithstanding those pressed upon us against our will, we are responsible for. Eve blamed the serpent, Adam blamed God, neither were given a reprieve, neither were allotted any time for rebuttals or appeals, once the decision is made, the reason behind it is of no value. Case in point, I do not drink alcohol any longer, nor does my adoring wife, left to our own devices, there would be no alcohol left on this planet. We came to this decision at different times in our lives, but for the same reason, that God would be glorified in our lives even greater, they are both incredible testimonies. Now if someone held us down and poured whiskey down our throats, we would be blameless, but if I made the decision myself to go back on my vow, I would expect there to be repercussions from the Lord, for of my own free will I would have returned to my own vomit. (Prov. 26:11)
In every decision you make in this life of your own free will, you are responsible, and you will be held accountable. Unless you are physically forced against your will, you will give an account of every action, every word, every thought to the Lord. The sooner we come to the realization of these truths, the sooner we can begin to acknowledge our faults before Him, even before other believers if necessary. These brothers and sisters of ours are there for that reason, to help you carry the burden. (Gal. 6:2)
Remember, “For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matt. 11:30) Lean on Him, for a way out, for a replacement for that which weighs heavy upon you. Do not expect these desires, these continuing wrong choices of our free will, to depart from you completely, that will happen when we are glorified, but do not attempt to blame anyone else ever again for decisions that are entirely yours. The best answer I can give is that if you want to walk with Christ, you must go apart alone with Him, away from the crowd. The Scriptures? “And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.” (Deut. 31:8) He is always there, He has all the answers, trust Him, He is always willing to help those that trust in Him. Always.
