“Restriction and restraint are necessary for a healthy soul.”- Judah Smith
And the LORD commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you shall surely die.”- Genesis 2:16-17 (NIV)
Judah Smith concludes Chapter 2 of How’s Your Soul? as he discusses elements three and four of a healthy soul environment.
3. A necessary no. Pastor Smith notes that “it’s indicative of God’s grace that he gave permission before restriction.” After all, think of the number of trees in the Garden of Eden. Hundreds? Thousands?
In addition, God restricted Adam and Eve from only one of those trees. Rather than an impossible order, God issued a simple and straightforward command. He set up Adam and Eve for success.
Therefore, a healthy soul needs restriction and restraint. In contrast, an unhealthy soul lacks restraints. The results are obvious to everyone around that unhealthy soul.
With limitations our souls feel protected and secure. Judah explains:
“God designed restrictions and limitations as a blessing for your soul. You and I are not God. We need constraints and restraints. We need checks and balances.
4. Helpers who fit. Even though God created Adam with a perfect soul, it wasn’t healthy for him to be alone. Hence, Pastor Smith applies that concept to us.
God definitely cares about our friends. Therefore, we must choose our close, intimate friends intentionally, carefully, and prayerfully. Let God lead you. In conclusion, Judah asserts:
“Show me your friends and I will show you the state of your soul.”
Today’s question: During your desert, land between time, how have you responded to restriction and restraint? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A glorious and perpetual state of serenity?”
