The Evil Yetzer

This powerful message confronts us with an urgent reality: we stand at a crossroads between divine wisdom and demonic deception. Drawing from Genesis 2:9 and the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, we're reminded that knowledge isn't merely awareness—it's understanding and wisdom that can flow from two radically different sources. James 3:13-17 distinguishes between heavenly wisdom that is pure, peaceable, and full of mercy, versus earthly wisdom that is demonic, driven by selfish ambition and bitter jealousy. The rise of artificial intelligence serves as a modern-day parallel to humanity's ancient temptation to seek understanding apart from God. Just as the fallen angels brought forbidden knowledge to humanity in Genesis 6, today's technological revolution offers a counterfeit wisdom that promises answers without requiring us to seek God. The sermon challenges us to examine every decision: are we operating from God's wisdom or the world's? When we face life's chess game, will we play with white pieces guided by divine strategy, or black pieces moved by demonic influence? The stakes couldn't be higher. As Joshua declared, we must choose this day whom we will serve—whether the gods of this technological age or the living God who promises to answer when we call upon Him.